Pope Francis urges to cease conflict in the east of Ukraine at the earliest
Pope Francis. Photo: refnews.ru
On September 15, 2019, during the prayer on St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis prayed for an early end to the Donbas conflict, dw.com reports.
The Pope welcomed the exchange of prisoners between Moscow and Kiev that took place a week earlier, thanks to which those released "were able to fold their loved ones in their arms".
The pontiff prayed "for an early end to the conflict and sustainable peace in eastern Ukraine".
Earlier, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, stressed that the UOC would continue to do everything possible to help release all Ukrainian prisoners. The UOC appealed to the new Ukrainian authorities to initiate the resumption of the process of releasing the Ukrainian captives and asked for the exchange in an "all for all" format.
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry also called on the Ukrainians to help Vladimir Zelensky implement his good intentions.
We will remind, on September 7, Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners by the 35-for-35 formula. The released Ukrainians were met at the airport by their relatives, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky and other officials.
Read also
OCU chaplain: A soldier should not feel guilty for killing enemies
According to a cleric of the OCU, the word “killing” should not even be used in this context.
AFU servicewoman punished by “being sent to the frontline” for defending UOC
An OCU representative explained how commanders punish UOC believers who defend their Church.
UOC church seized after OCU's and UGCC's provocation at soldier's funeral
Supporters of the UGCC brought the body of a soldier into the church, pressuring a UOC priest to conduct the funeral according to the Greek Catholic rite in an Orthodox church.
UOC hierarch calls on the faithful to pray for the return of seized shrine
Metropolitan Theodosiy urged the faithful to communal and personal prayer to Archangel Michael.
Russian Orthodox Church Primate: Christ did not condemn death penalty
The Patriarch added that, although the Church does not welcome the death penalty, it has never condemned it if this punishment is carried out in accordance with the law.
Metropolitan Jonathan appeals sentence to Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has requested criminal case files from the Vinnytsia City Court for cassation review.