Pope Francis criticizes Ukraine’s ban on Moscow-linked Orthodox church

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics and the head of the Vatican State, criticized the Ukrainian government’s decision to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church linked to the Moscow Patriarchate.

During his traditional Sunday prayer from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, the Pope addressed several issues, including the mpox virus outbreak and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Expressing solidarity with those affected by the global mpox virus outbreak, Pope Francis stated: “I want to express my solidarity with the thousands of people affected by the M virus, which has now become a global health emergency.”

Regarding Ukraine’s decision to ban churches affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate, Pope Francis said: “I continue to follow the conflicts in Ukraine and the Russian Federation with great pain, and I am concerned about the recent laws passed in Ukraine. True prayer is always for everyone.”

“No harm comes from praying. Let those who wish to pray in what they see as their church be allowed to do so. No Christian church should be closed, directly or indirectly. Churches are inviolable,” he added.