Pope Francis openly criticized Ukraine's decision to ban a Russia-linked branch of the country's Orthodox Church, urging the government not to interfere with religious freedom. The pontiff's remarks came during his weekly prayers on Sunday, just one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the controversial law into effect.
"Do not touch churches," the pope warned, expressing concern about the impact the law could have on the liberty of those who worship in Ukraine. "In thinking of the law recently adopted in Ukraine, I fear for the liberty of those who pray," he said, underscoring the potential risks to religious freedom in the war-torn country.
Religious Freedom Under Threat?
The pope’s criticism follows President Zelensky’s approval of legislation that bans the Russian-linked Orthodox Church from operating in Ukraine. Zelensky signed the law on Ukraine’s independence day from the Soviet Union, marking a significant escalation in the country’s effort to sever ties with Moscow amid ongoing tensions with Russia.
Ukraine has been distancing itself from the Russian Orthodox Church since 2014, with efforts intensifying after Russia’s 2022 invasion. Although the Ukrainian Orthodox Church officially broke away from Moscow in 2022, Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused clerics of maintaining loyalty to Russia.
Continued Tensions Between Church and State
While Ukraine's move was slammed by Russia, many Ukrainian officials view the Russian-linked Orthodox Church as a threat to national security. President Zelensky, who met with Pope Francis in June at the G7 summit in Italy, has been clear in his intent to distance Ukraine from Russian influence.
Despite the growing divisions, Pope Francis expressed his ongoing sorrow over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He reiterated his concerns about the ongoing war, which Russia began in February 2022, and called for greater attention to protecting religious freedoms in the midst of the conflict.
