A woman cries in Mariupol after a Russian attack Reuters
The tone is raised several times, as if they wanted to tell the tragedy of the war in your country with your voice. “We pay a very high price for our resistance to the invaders,” he explains the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See Andriy Yurash. A break. “We have an unbelievable sacrifice ahead of us.” He arrived two weeks ago at the diplomatic headquarters not far from the Leonean Walls, behind the Vatican City and a stone’s throw from the Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome. The former head of the Department of Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Culture is an expert on churchstate relations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent him overseas and signed his appointment as ambassador on December 14. And the apostolic nunciature in Ukraine immediately sent him the “warmest greetings”.
The new Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See Andriy Yurash Archive
“We are moved by the continued support the country receives from the Apostolic See,” says Yurash. On Wednesday he attended the Peace Mass celebrated by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin in St. Peter’s Basilica, in the presence of the diplomatic corps. And the Ambassador speaks of Parolin to commend the commitment of Vatican diplomacy: “Even in recent days, the cardinal has reaffirmed the urgency of starting negotiations, allowing the parties to sit around the same table. But unfortunately there is no positive answer from Russia ». He then thanks Pope Francis, who “in this terrible situation is one of the most important reference figures of our nation, also for nonCatholics, and each of his gestures as a help to the population struggling for independence and to defend its European identity”. The diplomat repeats it several times in his conversation with Avvenire: “Thank you, Holy Father. Thank you to the Holy See for every action, also in the future, of support ». And to Francis he makes an appeal, sometimes moving: “I know that times are difficult, but If the Pope were to set his feet on Ukrainian soil, that would be what the country most wishes for.The prime ministers of Slovenia, Poland and the Czech Republic have recently visited Kyiv to confirm that this is possible. Ukrainian society believes that the war would stop if the Pope came to Ukraine. It’s a collective and sincere feeling. May the Lord make this dream come true … ».
Mr. Ambassador, does Ukraine consider itself to be under siege?
I would say the picture is diverse. Some cities are surrounded by Russian military, but I would like to emphasize that the country enjoys exceptional international support, starting with the European Union, which is aware of the role that Ukraine will play in the continent’s next geopolitical order. Of course, in some areas the situation is dire, like in Mariupol, which however is defending itself with honor: it is estimated that at least 2,300 civilians have been killed. It is clear to the whole world that a terrorist attack on Ukraine is underway.
The Catholic Church stands alongside the population.
We really feel it. Even if the Catholic community is not very numerous, the Church has great visibility and can count on the sympathy of the country, which recognizes itself, for example, in the strong positions of the Pope.
The Holy See has proposed mediating in the conflict.
I thank Cardinal Parolin for the initiative. The Vatican idea of facilitating negotiations between Russia and Ukraine emerged two years ago and had the support of the Ukrainian president. Now I say that every effort must be made to persuade Russia to start negotiations.
The Russian attack on a residential area in Kyiv Ansa
Moscow’s Orthodox Patriarch Kirill did not distance himself from the attack. In fact, it justifies…
I read Kirill’s words and perceived the distance to the gospel in them. She supports what is happening and does nothing to stop the war. I was touched by a video last Sunday of Patriarch Kirill showing an icon to the Russian National Guard and blessing it, inviting soldiers to take it with them to win the battles. This means that Kirill has completely knelt before Putin and that the responsibility for the conflict also lies with him. I would like to add that the behavior of the Russian Patriarch undermines relations with Moscowlinked Orthodox in Ukraine. Instead, we sponsor every move of the Holy See and embrace the Pope’s words that the Christian is always a man of peace.
The Pope will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Will the two nations get closer?
The decision was received very positively in Ukraine. But the political factor shows that when a foreign army invades a state, devastates cities, kills people, there can be no rapprochement. Russia reiterates that it sees us as brothers and friends but has never accepted our independence. And the low consensus that Russia had with us, about 13%, was reduced to almost zero after the attack, even in the eastern border regions where the percentages were higher. And these are the areas that Putin is now bombing. Because his intention is to restore an empire with tsarist characteristics. But he did not delve into the story …
In the church, but also in Italian society, there is a debate about whether it is appropriate to send arms to Ukraine.
We must legitimately defend our territory with arms. I believe that this war can be ended by crossing two paths: first, by supporting the Ukrainian army against the Russian aggressor; and then to support the country also from a psychological and spiritual point of view, as the Pope and the Catholic Church do.
And Europe?
It can assist us with both humanitarian aid and arms shipments. But the continent could really encourage Ukraine by welcoming her into the European Union’s big family, saying: ‘You’re welcome; You are part of this house ». It would be perhaps the most important sign: not only politically but also culturally.
In Kyiv, refugees camped in a subway station Ansa
We are fleeing Ukraine. How can the admission of refugees be promoted?
Three million people have already left the country and that is an enormous number. But the vast majority want to return to their homeland as soon as possible. The issue of the Ukrainian refugees calls into question all European countries called to help them, first demanding a “ceasefire” and then advocating reconstruction. I just met the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto, who told me that 47,000 Ukrainians have already arrived in the peninsula. However, only a small proportion would be interested in a special refugee status. But there could also be refugees from Russia and Belarus, where 30% oppose the war. What safe life will they have in a regime such as that established in Moscow by Putin?
(Stefania Pizzi contributed)