The Pope will come to Ukraine, – La Repubblica

According to the publication’s sources, Ukraine is on the list of countries that the new pontiff will visit first.

Pope Leo XIV , who has been the head of the Roman Church for only five days, has already received invitations from various countries. According to La Repubblica , Turkey, Ukraine and Peru are the countries the pontiff will visit first.

Invitation from Ukraine

The Pope received his first official invitation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a telephone conversation, the Ukrainian leader called on the Pontiff to pay an apostolic visit to Kyiv.

“Such a visit will bring true hope to all believers and all our people,” Zelensky wrote.

He thanked the Pope for his support for Ukraine and the Vatican’s efforts to return children deported to Russia. The parties agreed to remain in touch.

The question is whether the Pope will visit only Kyiv or also Moscow. His predecessor, Francis, has repeatedly emphasized the need to visit both capitals.

First visit to Turkey?

Leo XIV’s first official trip may be to Nicaea (Iznik, Turkey) to celebrate the anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea (325).

“I know about the project, we are preparing the organization,” the Pope told reporters.

The visit has ecumenical significance: a year when Easter coincides for Catholics and Orthodox Christians could contribute to dialogue between the churches. The invitation is to be confirmed by Patriarch Bartholomew, who will arrive for mass at the Vatican next Sunday.

There is also the question of whether the Pope will stop in the Turkish capital, Ankara. Since Francis has already visited the country, Leo XIV’s trip would require new diplomatic coordination.

Peru

When asked by a Peruvian journalist about a possible visit to this country, where he served as a missionary for 20 years, the Pope replied:

“Expect news about me in Peru soon.”

This may indicate that the trip is being prepared, despite the official reluctance to comment on other routes.

No visits to the USA are planned.

The Pope commented briefly on the issue of returning to the United States:

“Not soon.”

He made it clear that plans had changed while he was still a cardinal. In particular, regarding Fatima, Portugal, where he had previously planned to go as a cardinal, the Pope stated: “Cardinal-Prévost was planning to come, but plans changed.”

(C)UNIAN 2025