Pope Francis denounces church bans amid Ukraine conflict

Pope Francis said on Sunday that no Christian church in Ukraine can be "overthrown." During a meeting with the faithful in Vatican City, he referred to the decision by authorities in Kyiv to ban activities of religious organisations connected to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Addressing the faithful gathered for the noon Angelus prayer, the Pope said: - I continue to follow with sorrow the conflicts in Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And thinking about the legal norms recently adopted in Ukraine, my concern for the freedom of those who pray grows, because those who truly pray, pray for everyone.

- One does not commit evil by praying. If someone commits evil against their nation, they will be guilty, but they could not have committed evil because they prayed - said the Pope.

He then added: - So let people pray in the church they consider their own. Please, do not directly or indirectly overthrow any Christian church. Do not touch churches! - he asserted.

Francis said these words a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law banning activities of religious organisations connected to the Russian Orthodox Church.

On Saturday, the law "On the protection of constitutional order in the sphere of religious organisations" came into effect. This regulation bans the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church and related religious organisations in Ukraine, the dissemination of the ideology of the so-called "Russian World" ("Russian Peace"—ed.), and, in particular, the use of religious organisations to promote the geopolitical concepts of the Kremlin.

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope also expressed solidarity with thousands of monkeypox patients. He emphasised that this virus is already a "global health crisis."

- I pray for all infected individuals, especially the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo, already so afflicted. I express my closeness to the local churches of the countries most affected by this disease and encourage governments and private industry to share technology and available treatments so that no one lacks appropriate medical assistance - said Francis.

He also addressed the people of Nicaragua, where the church has been persecuted for a long time.

- I encourage you to renew your hope in Jesus. Remember that the Holy Spirit always leads history towards more exalted plans - said the Pope, praying for the protection of the Virgin Mary "in times of trial."