MFA thanks Apostolic Nuncio "for advocating Ukraine's interests worldwide"
The head of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs discussed humanitarian cooperation and diplomatic dialogue with a Vatican representative.
On January 24, 2026, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, during which the parties discussed current issues of cooperation between Ukraine and the Vatican, as reported on the Facebook page of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the interlocutors reviewed further steps for developing bilateral dialogue and emphasized the importance of cooperation in humanitarian and diplomatic spheres amid the ongoing conflict.
Special attention was paid to the issue of transferring St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv to the Roman Catholic community, which, according to the parties, should contribute to strengthening relations between Ukraine and the Holy See.
The Foreign Minister expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV, stating: "We are grateful to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his prayers and moral solidarity with the Ukrainian people. We appreciate the consistent support and efforts of the Holy See in overcoming the humanitarian consequences of the war, particularly for Ukrainian children – facilitating their recovery and the return of those who were illegally deported by Russia."
Additionally, Andrii Sybiha thanked the Apostolic Nuncio and the Roman Catholic community for advocating Ukraine's interests on the international arena, and also informed about the dynamics of peace efforts and the consequences of Russian missile strikes on the country's critical infrastructure.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Vatican again allowed the OCU access to St. Nicholas' relics.
