https://www.svoboda.org/a/papa-rimskiy-vystupil-protiv-zapreta-upts-v-ukraine/33091889.html
Pope Francis has criticized the law passed in Ukraine banning the activities of religious organizations associated with Russia. During a Sunday meeting with believers, he said, in particular: “I continue to follow with pain the hostilities in Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and, reflecting on the law recently passed in Ukraine, I have concerns about the freedom of those who pray, because he who truly prays always prays for everyone. No one does evil because of the one who prays. If someone does evil against his people, he will be guilty of this, but it cannot be considered evil that he prayed. Let those who want to pray be allowed to pray in the Church that they consider theirs. Please, let no Christian Church be abolished directly or indirectly: the Church should not be touched.” On the eve of Independence Day of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the bill previously adopted by the Verkhovna Rada. It prohibits the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in the country, as well as religious organizations controlled from a country that is carrying out aggression against Ukraine. This formulation probably refers to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The UOC states that the church is already independent from Moscow, but the church has not officially declared autocephaly. Ukrainian authorities, based on the findings of a group of experts, have come to the conclusion that the UOC is still associated with Russia.
In Ukraine, the Pope is often criticized for his statements on the war. Francis, having condemned the Russian invasion, did not directly mention the guilt of Russia and its leadership in unleashing the war. He also calls for peace talks, including through concessions from Ukraine. At the same time, at the official level, Kyiv refrains from harshly criticizing the Holy See. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the Pope in June during a visit to Italy.
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