By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, May 14, 2025 / 11:29 am
Pope Leo XIV urged thousands of Eastern Catholics from around the world, many of whom come from places experiencing violence, not to abandon their ancestral lands and assured them that he would do everything he could to bring peace there.
“I thank God for those Christians — Eastern and Latin alike — who, above all in the Middle East, persevere and remain in their homelands, resisting the temptation to abandon them. Christians must be given the opportunity, and not just in words, to remain in their native lands with all the rights needed for a secure existence. Please, let us strive for this!” he said on May 14.
The meeting with members of the 23 Eastern Catholic Churches took place in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, part of a three-day jubilee event that included seven Eastern-rite liturgies celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. The Eastern Catholic Churches follow the pope but maintain worship and other practices similar to Eastern Orthodoxy.
Speaking of Christ’s peace as “reconciliation, forgiveness, and the courage to turn the page and start anew,” Leo said, “for my part, I will make every effort so that this peace may prevail.”
“The peoples of our world desire peace, and to their leaders I appeal with all my heart: Let us meet, let us talk, let us negotiate!” the new pontiff said.
Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia was in the audience with Pope Leo on May 14. He told CNA afterward that the Ukrainian people have embraced Leo “with acclamation” during his first days.
Hope and Healing: Pope Leo XIV’s Message of Peace
During his recent audience, Pope Leo XIV’s words resonated deeply with those affected by conflict and violence around the world. Archbishop Borys Gudziak shared that the Pope’s emphasis on peace and justice in the face of brutality in Ukraine struck a chord with many.
Leo’s heartfelt remarks during his first Regina Caeli prayer on May 11 were particularly moving. He expressed his solidarity with the suffering Ukrainian people and called for genuine efforts towards peace and reconciliation. His plea for the release of prisoners and the reunification of families touched the hearts of many.
In addition to Ukraine, the Pope also highlighted the need for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. He entrusted all conflicts to the intercession of the Queen of Peace, emphasizing the Church’s unwavering hope in Christ’s resurrection.
Leo’s message of hope and resilience was especially poignant for Eastern-rite Christians in conflict-ridden regions like the Holy Land and Ukraine. He praised their ability to find hope amidst violence, referring to them as ‘martyr Churches’.
From the Holy Land to Ukraine, from Lebanon to Syria, the Pope acknowledged the pervasive violence in various parts of the world. Despite the darkness of war, he called on all to hold onto hope and work towards a peaceful resolution.
