Pope Leo XIV Receives Prisoner List from Ukraine's Archbishop Shevchuk who Warned of his Country's Worsening Crisis during Vatican Meeting

 Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk Delivers POW List and Ukrainian Gratitude in Fifth Vatican Audience with Pope Leo XIV

In their fifth official meeting at the Vatican, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk—head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church—presented Pope Leo XIV with a list of hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia, along with prayers and tokens of appreciation from the Ukrainian people.

The audience provided an opportunity for Archbishop Shevchuk to highlight the impact of the Holy See’s "humanitarian diplomacy." He specifically thanked Pope Leo for his recent phone conversations with Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, during which the Pontiff advocated for a truce in the occupied city of Oleshky to alleviate a severe shortage of food, water, and medical supplies.

Archbishop Shevchuk underscored the significance of recent diplomatic efforts renewed by Pope Leo XIV, including missions led by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher. Notably, Cardinal Zuppi’s visit to a Russian detention center holding Ukrainian combatants represents the first time an international institutional representative has been granted access to these POWs.

Looking ahead to the winter, Archbishop Shevchuk warned of the worsening crisis facing Ukrainians due to damaged infrastructure and requested international solidarity. The Holy See announced an immediate response: Papal Almoner Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín will travel to Ukraine from October 27 to 30, delivering aid and conveying the Pope’s personal closeness.

Before concluding, Archbishop Shevchuk briefed Pope Leo on the UGCC’s recent Synod of Bishops, which addressed priestly vocations amidst ongoing war-driven demographic challenges. He also wished the Pontiff a continued full recovery following his recent thoracic surgery.

Among the gifts presented to Pope Leo were joint Ukrainian-Vatican commemorative stamps, a photographic collection documenting the Ukrainian community’s meetings with the Holy Father, and Hemingway Knows Nothing, a book authored by Ukrainian veteran Arthur Dron.

• Meeting: Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican Apostolic Palace (their 5th audience).

• Primary Mission: Delivered a list of hundreds of Ukrainian POWs held in Russia and requested continued Vatican assistance for civilian and hostage releases.

• Diplomatic Impact: Thanked Pope Leo for contacting Presidents Putin and Zelensky to urge a humanitarian truce in Oleshky, and praised Cardinal Zuppi's landmark visit to Ukrainian POWs in a Russian detention center.

• Upcoming Aid: Papal Almoner Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín will bring food, medicine, and relief supplies to Ukraine from October 27–30.

• Gifts Offered: Commemorative Vatican/Ukrainian stamps, a Pilgrims of Hope photo album, and veteran Arthur Dron’s book, Hemingway Knows Nothing.