Bishop Honcharuk, whose diocese is among those hardest hit by the conflict, met Pope Leo XIV on September 11 during a private audience at the Vatican. He said the Pope’s assurance that everything possible is being done to end the war brought comfort to people exhausted by years of violence.
The bishop described Kharkiv as an “epicentre” of the war, where civilians continue to face air raids, deaths, injuries and the destruction of homes.
He thanked the Pope for his prayers, concern and efforts to help secure the release of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children to their families.
Pope urged to visit Ukraine
Bishop Honcharuk also renewed his invitation for Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine, saying a papal visit would be a powerful sign of solidarity for a suffering population.
The bishop was accompanied by members of Ukraine’s military chaplaincy ministry, including Father Volodymyr Kyrylyuk, Sister Nelia Kutsak and psychologist Tatiana Goncharuk. They sought the Pope’s blessing for their service to soldiers and families affected by the war.
The delegation also brought gifts from Ukraine, including artwork symbolising prayer, suffering and peace, as well as photographic albums documenting the impact of the war.
A message of dignity and peace
Bishop Honcharuk said the conflict cannot be viewed simply as a contest between winners and losers because real people are dying and carrying physical and emotional scars.
He expressed hope that the war would end as soon as possible and appealed for God’s love to enter the hearts of everyone, stressing that recognising human dignity is essential to respecting the dignity of others.