Ukrainian Families Hand Over Names of Captive Soldiers to Pope Leo XIV in Humanitarian Appeal
In a powerful humanitarian gesture, relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war have delivered to Pope Leo XIV official lists containing the names of Ukrainian soldiers held in Russian captivity. The exchange took place during a solemn audience at the Vatican, where the newly elected pontiff met with representatives of Eastern Catholic Churches.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
A Ukrainian delegation, representing the families of captured defenders, personally handed the documents to the pontiff, urging him to use his moral authority and global standing to call for the release of all Ukrainian prisoners held in Russian captivity.
Presiding over one of the largest delegations at the Vatican event, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), formally congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election. Addressing the gathering, Pope Leo expressed deep empathy and support for Ukraine.
“My heart is with the suffering and beloved people of Ukraine,” he said. “Let us do all we can to bring about a just and lasting peace. May all prisoners be freed, and may every child return to their family.”
The Pope’s words echo growing international concern about Russia’s treatment of prisoners of war and forcibly deported children. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of violating the Geneva Conventions and other international legal norms governing wartime conduct.
This gesture follows Pope Leo XIV’s earlier statements emphasizing the Vatican’s willingness to serve as a mediator in global conflicts, including Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the papal enthronement ceremony in the coming weeks. His visit is widely seen as a bid to deepen Vatican engagement in brokering peace and advancing humanitarian priorities, particularly the return of captives and the protection of children.
For the families of the prisoners, the encounter with Pope Leo XIV is not only a spiritual appeal but an important step in drawing global attention to the fate of thousands of Ukrainians held in Russian detention.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had his first-ever conversation with newly elected Pope Leo XIV, describing it as “very warm and truly substantive.” A key topic of the call was the thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia.