Zelensky invites Pope Leo to Kyiv and lobbies for Sheptytsky’s canonization
Zelensky and Pope Leo. Photo: Zelensky’s Telegram
On 9 July 2025, during his meeting with Pope Leo in the Vatican, Volodymyr Zelensky invited the pontiff to visit Ukraine and also spoke in favor of canonizing the Uniate Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytsky.
“I told His Holiness about the respect Ukrainian society has for Andriy Sheptytsky, his deeds, including saving Jews during World War II and defending the Christian faith. We hope that the Metropolitan’s contribution and merits will receive proper recognition,” Zelensky wrote on his Telegram channel.
The President’s appeal came in the context of statements by the UGCC that the process of Sheptytsky’s beatification (canonization in Catholic tradition) is in its final stage.
Andriy Sheptytsky is one of the most prominent figures of the UGCC. He led the Greek Catholics from 1900 to 1944.
He is known for seeking contacts with political leaders, including those who today have the reputation of criminals.
For example, in a letter to Hitler on the occasion of the occupation of Kyiv in 1941, Sheptytsky wrote:
“I extend to Your Excellency my heartfelt congratulations on taking possession of the capital of Ukraine, the golden-domed city on the Dnipro – Kyiv. The Ukrainian people see in this the liberation of the capital from the Bolshevik yoke <...> I will pray to God for a blessing on your victory, which will guarantee lasting peace for Your Excellency, the German Army, and the German People.”
In a letter to Stalin on the occasion of Lviv’s liberation from the Nazis in 1944, Sheptytsky wrote:
“For the fulfillment of the cherished wishes and aspirations of Ukrainians, who for centuries have considered themselves one people and wanted to be united in one state, the Ukrainian people express to you their sincere gratitude.”
There are also well-known obsequious letters from Andriy Sheptytsky addressed to the Russian Emperor Nicholas II.
Earlier, the UOJ analyzed Sheptytsky’s role in Ukrainian history.
Read also
წმინდა ცოტნე აღმსარებლისა და წმინდა გაბრიელის სახელობის ტაძრის საძირკველი იკურთხება
25 ივლისს ნაძალადევში მშენებარე ტაძრის საძირკვლის კურთხევის ცერემონიას წალკელი ეპისკოპოსი გრიგოლი (კაცია) აღასრულებს.
September 19 is the commemoration day of Archangel Michael
Feast of the Archangels - the day commemorating the miracle performed by Saint Archangel Michael in Khoni.
"Orthodox shrines are inviolable" - Archpriest David Jishkariani
Priest David Jishkariani told the Union of Orthodox Journalists about the challenges and issues that are currently relevant for Georgia and the entire Christian world.
Giorgi Berishvili responds to the confrontation on Melikishvili Avenue
The president of the Georgian diaspora in Ukraine, "Georgian Christian World," responded to the noisy confrontation that occurred at the election headquarters of the Mayor of Tbilisi.
The Union of Orthodox Journalists begins active work in Georgia
The goal of the Union of Orthodox Journalists is to strengthen the Orthodox faith, protect Christian values, and promote them in the wider society.
Scientists invent brain-computer chip capable of reading human minds
The "brain-computer" interface will help people who have lost the ability to speak communicate through the power of thought.