Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín Heads to Ukraine
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, is preparing to undertake a mission to Ukraine from 27 to 30 October, with active participation from both the Ukrainian Greek…
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, is preparing to undertake a mission to Ukraine from 27 to 30 October, with active participation from both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church.
The Prefect aims to convey the Pope’s closeness to Ukraine, particularly to those enduring the severe fallout from the war that has now persisted for more than four years and eight months. Archbishop Marín de San Martín will depart on 27 October and return on the 30th, accompanied by Professor Massimo Ralli, the Dicastery’s Undersecretary.
This mission seeks to give concrete expression to the Pope's commitment to peace and follows the telephone calls he made, including one while in the hospital, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Among the urgent matters addressed was the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, a city reportedly under siege by Russian forces, where many residents are suffering from starvation. As part of the visit, Archbishop Marín de San Martín intends to provide solace by visiting communities in Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Fastiv.
This trip is framed by a spirit of fraternity, aiming for a joint mission of solidarity between the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church.
In parallel with the visit, the Apostolic Almonry is continuing to organize a special collection for the Ukrainian population at the Vatican. This collection allows donations to be delivered from yesterday until Saturday at 1 PM local time. Items being collected include winter clothing, warm blankets, sleeping bags, canned food, and household linens. This initiative gives Holy See employees a chance to provide relief to those deeply affected by the ongoing conflict, especially with winter months approaching.
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín expressed his gratitude to all participants, stating that their involvement reflects, through both prayer and concrete assistance, a deep closeness to those suffering. He also conveyed hope for a swift return of peace through divine intervention.
