Cardinal Bychok Delivers Symbol of Hope to Pope Leo XIV
On June 24, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, Australia, met with Pope Leo XIV following the Wednesday General Audience. During this meeting, he presented the Pope with…
On June 24, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Bishop of the Eparchy of Saints Peter and Paul of Melbourne, Australia, met with Pope Leo XIV following the Wednesday General Audience. During this meeting, he presented the Pope with a Ukrainian flag and cross that belonged to a soldier who fought in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The gesture symbolized the struggles and suffering of the Ukrainian people amid the war.
In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Bychok conveyed the profound significance of the gift. He shared that the soldier, now a veteran, had requested through another veteran that the items be given to the Holy Father. The cardinal emphasized that this act represented not only the soldier's personal sacrifice but also a broader message for the entire Ukrainian nation, stating, "It was a great sign of God because I was planning to participate in the Pope’s General Audience."
Cardinal Bychok extended greetings from both Australia and Ukraine, expressing gratitude to the Pope for his ongoing support for Ukraine during this challenging time. He underscored the emotional toll the conflict has taken on the Ukrainian people, particularly those who have spent years on the front lines. By presenting the flag and cross, he reinforced the call from Ukrainian soldiers to ensure that the truth about the war is consistently shared, positioning the Pope as a beacon of hope for the beleaguered nation.
As discussions at the Extraordinary Consistory, scheduled for June 26-29, are expected to focus on issues of war and peace, Cardinal Bychok expressed optimism regarding the contributions of the Ukrainian Church to these conversations. He noted that this gathering represents a vital opportunity to elevate discussions on the situation in Ukraine to the highest levels of the Catholic Church. "Ukrainians tried to raise this topic a few times in the last few years, and here we are, we will now discuss this at the highest level of the Catholic Church," he remarked.
