On 17 July, a delegation from the Vatican headed by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, made an official visit to Ukrainian Catholic University.
Vatican Delegation Visits UCU
The delegation also included Roman Catholic priest and diplomat of the Holy See Monsignor Antons Prikulis, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Visvaldas Kulbokas, and Roberto Paglialonga, journalist for the Vatican media “Osservatore Romano” and “Vatican News.” They were accompanied by Andriy Yurash, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Holy See and at the Sovereign Order of Malta.
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and Bishop Hlib Lonchyna
Archbishop of the Philadelphia Archeparchy of the UGCC and President of Ukrainian Catholic University Metropolitan Borys Gudziak together with representatives of the rectorate gave the guests a tour of the campus. He spoke of the university’s history and development.
Accounts about the Heroes from the UCU community who perished in the Russia-Ukraine War and also the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred were important for understanding how Ukrainians live now.
Vatican delegation at UCU
“Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher traveled on mission to Ukraine, to discuss the war and to look for ways to achieve peace. And so it was important and useful for him to see how Ukrainians live in time of war. With the example of Ukrainian Catholic University, he can see how young people study, how scholars continue their research, how summer camps are held for children, and how, despite destruction and tragic deaths, much is still being built and life continues,” stated Archbishop Borys Gudziak.
The delegation also visited the University Church of the Holy Wisdom of God during a Liturgy for children at the Wise Ones summer camp and prayed at the Blessed Mykola Konrad Chapel in the Collegium. The guests saw the conditions in which students live and study.
Vatican delegation at UCU
The Vatican representatives became acquainted with the activities of the Emmaus Center, where people with developmental disabilities are helped to integrate into society.
The Vatican delegation is acquainted with the work of the Emmaus Center
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher spoke of his pleasant impressions of the university and thanked all for the warm welcome. He emphasized that the visit was an honor for him.
At the end of the visit, UCU gave Archbishop Gallagher an invitation to pass on to Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine.
