Ukraine: Archbishop Gallagher visits Maidan memorial

By Roberto Paglialonga – Kyiv

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has concluded his five-day mission to Ukraine as Pope Leo XIV's special envoy, ending the visit in Kyiv with meetings with President Volodymyr Zelensky and acting Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha, as well as a visit to the Maidan memorial.

The Archbishop laid a bouquet of roses at the memorial, which commemorates those killed during the 2013–2014 Revolution of Dignity, when protesters died in Kyiv's Independence Square while calling for closer ties with Europe and political reform, as well as those who have lost their lives in the war that has followed.

During talks with the acting foreign minister, the Holy See reaffirmed its closeness to the Ukrainian people and expressed hope for a just and lasting peace.

Archbishop Gallagher meets auhtorities in Kyiv {"@context": "http://schema.org","@type": "ImageObject","contentUrl": "https://www.vaticannews.va/content/dam/vaticannews/multimedia/2026/Luglio/20/gallaghere-e-ministro-esteri-4.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.thumbnail.cropped.750.422.jpeg","creditText": "Vatican News","height": "750","width": "422"} Anniversary Renewal Structures of Latin Rite Catholic Church 

The final day followed several days of pastoral and diplomatic engagements across the country. Archbishop Gallagher travelled to Berdychiv to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Latin Rite Catholic Church in Ukraine.

There he presided at Mass before thousands of pilgrims, encouraging them to remain steadfast in faith and hope despite the hardships of war, while assuring them of the Pope's closeness and prayers.

Highlights 19/07/2026 Gallagher in Berdychiv: Prayer for peace to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher prayed for peace in Ukraine at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Berdychiv, assuring the faithful of Pope Leo XIV’s spiritual closeness ...

Throughout the visit, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations also met bishops, clergy and religious, visited the Greek Catholic Cathedral of the Resurrection in Kyiv, and took part in meetings focused on the humanitarian impact of the conflict and ongoing efforts to support those affected.

All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations

On Saturday evening, the Archbishop met representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. They outlined the challenges faced by religious communities and the wider population, while noting the positive cooperation among Ukraine's different Christian Churches and faith groups. They said the war remains the country's central challenge, with many people exhausted by the conflict, while reaffirming their desire for a just peace.

Council members also thanked the Holy See and the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, for their continued support and humanitarian concern. They stressed the importance of ongoing spiritual solidarity and prayer, as well as continued diplomatic efforts to help bring the conflict to an end.

Highlights 18/07/2026 Archbishop Gallagher visits bombed sites in Kyiv, encourages prayer for peace On the third day of his mission to Ukraine, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations prayed this morning at St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv ... Exemption of religious from army conscription

The Council also highlighted the recent exemption of ordained ministers from military conscription, describing it as recognition by the Ukrainian authorities of the essential pastoral and social role of the Churches.

Archbishop Gallagher welcomed the progress, noting the significance of such cooperation, particularly in wartime.

Highlights 17/07/2026 Ukraine: Archbishop Gallagher calls for the conditions for a just peace The Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations is in Ukraine until 21 July as the Pope's envoy for the 35th anniversary of the Renewal of the Structures of ...