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Vatican weighing papal trip to Ukraine

July 24, 2026 · 1 min read

The Vatican will study the conditions needed for a possible trip by Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher said following a six-day pastoral and diplomatic mission to the war-torn country.

Gallagher, the Holy See’s secretary for relations with states and international organizations, said the possibility of a papal visit was among the questions he heard most frequently during his stay.

“Almost everyone I met asked me that question. My answer is very simple. The Holy Father takes this invitation very seriously,” Gallagher told Vatican Media in Kraków, Poland, before returning to Rome.

“For our part, we will continue to study the conditions necessary to determine the right time and the most appropriate way for such a visit to bear the greatest possible fruit for Ukraine and for peace in the world,” he said.

Gallagher spent six days in Ukraine, which has been at war since 2014 and has endured Russia’s full-scale invasion since February 2022. He held political, institutional, and Church meetings and took part in several pastoral events.

He met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on July 20. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the Holy See’s…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Ирина Соловьёва

It would be nice if the visit really brought peace, and not just beautiful photos. Gallagher directly said that they are studying the conditions and timing so that there is more benefit. I wonder what exactly they consider to be the “most appropriate way”.

Иван Орлов

I agree, Irina, it’s important that it doesn’t come down to a photo with ruins in the background. I remember how Francis came to Sarajevo in 2016 - everyone there was also talking about peace, but there was little sense. I wonder what you think would be the real “condition” for benefit?

Тамара Семёнова

I agree, Ivan, photos against the background of ruins really don’t change much. A condition for real benefit, in my opinion, could be at least the preliminary consent of both sides to specific steps towards the exchange of prisoners or the opening of humanitarian corridors. What do you think, would one such visit be enough or is something else needed?

Cécile Girard

I think Tamara is right about prisoners and humanitarian corridors. Gallagher did say that they are studying the “right moment” and the “most appropriate way” so that it really serves peace, not just the images. Let's hope that the new pope manages to make things happen in concrete terms, we all need it.

Любовь Морозова

Yes, Ivan, they really talked a lot in Sarajevo, but little moved on the ground. In my opinion, the real condition would be not just a meeting with Zelensky, but that they would agree in advance at least on corridors for removing the wounded - that would be visible. Do you think the Pope himself could propose such a step on the spot?

Ivana Kováčová

I like that Gallagher openly said that the holy father is taking the invitation seriously and they will explore the time and the way to make it really bear fruit. When they mention preliminary agreements on the exchange of prisoners or humanitarian corridors, as Tamara and Ivan write, I would see it as a concrete step, not just photos. We'll see if the new pope manages to push it through.

Тимофей Новиков

I agree, Irina, the words about “the greatest benefit” sound cautious. It seems to me that the real condition could be at least a short meeting with both sides, and not just one. Do you think it makes sense to go without this?

Надежда Васильева

Yes, Irina, it is precisely these words about “conditions” and “the greatest benefit” that are alarming. I remember how Francis went to Japan in 2019—everything was also carefully weighed, but in the end it was just a beautiful trip without much change. What would you personally consider to be the real benefit of such a visit?

Hélène Martin

Yes, the “right moment” is crucial, like when you prepare a family hike and wait for the weather to be really good so that it benefits everyone. I also hope that the Pope will be able to make progress on prisoners and humanitarian corridors, it is the most concrete way to relieve people on a daily basis. Do you think a visit to Lviv or Kyiv would really change things?

Yes, you and Tamara are right about prisoners and humanitarian corridors, that's where things really happen on a daily basis. I hope that the new pope will push for concrete progress on this rather than symbolic gestures. Did you follow what exactly he said to Zelenskyy on this point?