Vatican City: Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, described his first audience with Pope Leo XIV as a deeply spiritual and consoling experience, rich with prayer and heartfelt exchange. Speaking to Vatican News following the meeting held on June 6 at the Apostolic Palace, the Nuncio reflected on the intense realities of war in Ukraine and the unwavering role of the Church in offering hope amidst suffering.
Archbishop Kulbokas explained that the encounter was preceded by fervent prayer—his own, those of his staff at the Kyiv nunciature, Ukraine’s bishops, state officials, and former parishioners from his native Lithuania. “This was more than a diplomatic engagement; it was a spiritual meeting,” he said, emphasizing how important it was to sense the heart of the Holy Father during such dark times.
The conversation touched deeply on the devastating impact of the ongoing Russian attacks, particularly the heavy bombings that struck Kyiv, Ternopil, Lutsk, and other regions on the night before their meeting. “We spoke about the reality of living without the ability to rest, to move freely, or even to sleep at night,” the Archbishop noted. Yet, even amid horror, he reaffirmed the Church’s mission as a beacon of resilience: “We are witnesses to what God can still do, even in the shadow of sin and violence.”
Describing the on-ground conditions in Ukraine, Archbishop Kulbokas said the situation varies drastically by region. In places like Kherson, relentless shelling has become the norm, with barely a moment of silence in four years. In cities such as Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv, while bombardments come in waves, the threat never fully disappears. Even Kyiv sees frequent drone strikes, making peaceful nights rare.
“The toll is not just physical,” he said. “Our staff often arrive exhausted after sleepless nights. Schools, markets, and state offices shut down during attacks. Ministerial meetings are postponed. Yet underground schools are being built, and children's programs like those by the 'Angels of Joy' bring rare moments of happiness.”
Turning attention to the front lines, the Nuncio spoke of the spiritual hunger among soldiers. “When dying, they ask only for the forgiveness of their sins. At that point, no medicine matters—only prayer,” he said. Military chaplains, he added, are crucial, bringing both spiritual solace and psychological support. “Wounded soldiers welcome priests more than therapists. The Church is uniquely equipped to offer comfort in trauma.”
He also acknowledged the risk of compassion fatigue among the global community exposed to endless images of destruction. “We can’t lose our ability to feel. That’s a danger. But our strength comes from the Lord, who sustains us with courage, sacrifice, and perseverance.”
In the front lines, even amid chaos, gestures of solidarity shine through. Soldiers consecrate themselves to Mary, carry rosaries, and share salaries to support injured comrades. “This is what true humanity looks like—one soldier told me he couldn’t bear to inform a wife her husband died because he had no proof. And he wept.”
The meeting with Pope Leo XIV came shortly after the Holy Father’s contacts with both the Ukrainian President and the President of the Russian Federation. For the Nuncio, this underscored the Pope’s global role—not just as a Church leader but as a moral compass for all of humanity.
“As Catholics, now more than ever, we must pray to the Holy Spirit,” Archbishop Kulbokas concluded. “For the Church, for the Holy Father, and for peace born through faith, even in the ruins of war.”