Lviv: The people of Ukraine are exhausted after more than four years of war, and many no longer see a clear end to the suffering, according to Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki of Lviv. Speaking in an interview with Vatican Media, he said the country is living through a painful period marked by fear, loss, displacement, and daily uncertainty. Yet he also said many people continue to turn to prayer and trust in God as their main source of strength.
Archbishop Mokrzycki is accompanying Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, during a visit to Ukraine. Gallagher is in the country as the Pope’s special envoy for celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the structures of the Latin Rite Catholic Church. His first stop is Lviv, a city close to the Polish border that has also suffered repeated attacks during the conflict.
The archbishop described a nation worn down by war. He said families across Ukraine have been touched by the violence in one way or another. Some have relatives fighting on the front line. Others have lost loved ones. Many have heard painful news from the battlefield again and again. He also noted that the war has damaged everyday life far beyond the front line, with many people struggling to find work and others leaving the country to join spouses and family members who moved to Europe years ago.
Even in Lviv, where there is no fighting every day, life remains disrupted. The city still hears air raid sirens often, forcing people to leave their work and studies and take shelter. Schools are interrupted. Daily routines are broken. Homes and property are still at risk. Archbishop Mokrzycki said that this constant pressure leaves people deeply tired and less hopeful about the future.
Still, he said the Church continues to be a place where people come together in faith. Many attend Mass, join prayers, and ask for peace. He said that prayer is now the main source of hope for many Ukrainians. In his words, only God can bring this terrible war to an end.
The archbishop also spoke about the importance of remembering the message of St. John Paul II, whose visit to Ukraine 25 years ago is still remembered by many Catholics in the country. He recalled the Pope’s words, “Do not be afraid,” and said they continue to give courage to believers who are trying to live through the war with faith and patience.
Looking ahead to Archbishop Gallagher’s visit to the national shrine at Berdychiv, Archbishop Mokrzycki said the gathering there will have special meaning for people across Ukraine. He described the shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel as a place where the faithful from all over the country come to ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to intercede for peace. He said such gatherings give people strength through unity, prayer, and hope.
He added that Archbishop Gallagher’s presence offers comfort because it shows that the Vatican is close to Ukraine and is still praying for the country. He said the Pope often remembers Ukraine during the Angelus and continues to ask for peace. He expressed hope that the visit, which also includes meetings with the Ukrainian government, will bring real fruit for the search for peace.
Archbishop Mokrzycki also said the Church must continue speaking to the wider world so that people do not grow used to the war. He urged Christians to remain united with those who suffer, not only in Ukraine but also in other troubled places such as the Holy Land. He said the world should not become indifferent to suffering and should support Ukraine through prayer and humanitarian help, which he said is still urgently needed.
For many Ukrainians, the war has become a long and painful test of endurance. But in Lviv, the archbishop said, faith remains alive. And even in fear and fatigue, people continue to hope that God will bring peace.