Today, Thursday 25 March 2021, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

At the beginning of the cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State, the parties focused on the good relations between the Holy See and Ukraine, with particular attention to some current matters of mutual interest, as well as various themes relating to the life and activity of the Catholic Church in the country.

The parties then discussed extensively the health crisis and the dramatic situation in eastern Ukraine, with the hope that the recent ceasefire violations would give way to gestures promoting a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

    From the Vatican, 25 March 2021