Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, visited Ukraine to hold high-level meetings, meet local Catholics, and represent Pope Francis at the Marian Shrine of Berdychiv.
"My presence in Ukraine is to bring the pope's closeness," Parolin stated on the Secretariat of State's official X account on July 22.
Earlier this week, Parolin met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials in Kyiv, reiterating the Pope's commitment to peace in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy, on his X account, mentioned discussing Russia's aggression, the humanitarian situation, and their June meeting with Pope Francis. He appreciated the Vatican's role in peace efforts and the support for Ukraine.
During his, Parolin travelled to Kyiv, Odesa, Berdychiv, and Lviv. He visited Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv, interacting with young patients and staff.
Parolin also met Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, visiting the cathedral used as a refuge during airstrikes. They discussed humanitarian missions and efforts to free prisoners of war, emphasizing the need for visits and support for detainees.
