Russia

Russian forces have destroyed another Ukrainian Greek Catholic church, while a priest at a separate parish is hastening to remove sacred items ahead of an expected Russian attack.

A July 8 attack by Russia on a children’s hospital and other civilian targets throughout Ukraine is “a sin that cries out to heaven for revenge,” said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression is “about genocide and the survival of an ethnic nation” — something the West does not realize, states an Ukrainian Catholic archbishop. “This is not about politics, but survival.”

Shortly after urging people to pray the rosary for peace and entrusting the people of Ukraine to Mary’s care, Pope Francis met briefly with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, director of external relations for the Russian Orthodox Church

Pope Francis will take his 41st foreign trip to visit Hungary’s capital, Budapest, April 28-30.

In the spotlight: Ukraine war anniversary, Ash Wednesday, remembering a murdered bishop

In focus: Suspect charged in bishop’s murder, bishops oppose Florida governor on death penalty, New York Archdiocese to close schools

A year after Russia started its all-out attack on Ukraine, Archbishop Shevchuk said he felt “joy and gratitude” that Ukraine is still there, that the Ukrainian church has found myriad ways to support the people, and that Catholics around the globe have shown their solidarity, including concretely by sending aid.