Authorities of Lviv Region Called on Zelensky to Invite the Pope to Ukraine
Deputies of the regional council, during the celebrations marking the anniversary of John Paul II's mission, initiated an appeal to the president to organize a visit by Leo XIV.
On June 24, 2026, the Lviv Regional Council held a ceremonial event marking the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's visit to Ukraine. The deputies supported an appeal to the president proposing to invite Pope Leo XIV for an apostolic visit to Ukraine.
The participants of the event emphasized that the legacy of John Paul II remains a source of inspiration for society during the struggle for freedom and dignity. "The event we are commemorating was of fundamental importance for the formation of our nation," said Yaroslav Hasyak, the managing director of the Regional Council. "The visit of Pope John Paul II to Ukraine was not merely a calendar date or a dry chronicle of that time. It was a moral event that shaped our strength."
Following the meeting, deputies and public representatives approved the text of an official address to the head of state. The document states that a new visit by the head of the Vatican "would become a symbolic continuation of the spiritual tradition initiated by the historic journey of Holy Pope John Paul II in 2001, and would bear witness to the unwavering support of the Ukrainian people on the part of the Holy See amid the ongoing war."
The ceremonial session was attended by Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church Mieczysław Mokrzycki, the rector of Saint George's Cathedral Roman Kravchyk, as well as members of parliament and scholars. The gathering concluded with a performance of the piece "Bless Ukraine for Us," which was the official musical symbol of the pontiff's arrival in 2001.
As the UOJ reported, the Pope called on Zelensky to achieve a lasting peace.
