The words of encouragement from Pope Saint John Paul II on his apostolic journey to Ukraine

@ElentirENG ESУК 3·10·2024 · 18:12 0

Between June 23 and 27, 2001, Pope Saint John Paul II made his only apostolic trip to Ukraine, a country with an Orthodox Christian majority.

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Today I especially want to remember some of the words of recognition and encouragement that the Polish Pope had for his Ukrainian brothers, some very necessary words today when Ukraine faces a heroic defense against the Russian invasion, while Pope Francis asks Ukrainians to negotiate with the invaders.

Upon arrival at Kiev's Boryspil Airport on June 23, 2001, when Ukraine celebrated ten years of regaining its independence, Saint John Paul II made it clear that he did not come as a mere visitor: "I come among you, dear citizens of Ukraine, as a friend of your noble Nation." The Polish Pope added:

Down the centuries, the Ukrainian people has known harsh and exhausting trials. How can we fail to recall, remaining in the context of the century just ended, the scourge of the two World Wars, the recurring famines, the disastrous natural calamities — extremely sad events that in their wake left millions dead? In particular, under the oppression of totalitarian regimes such as Communism and Nazism, the people risked losing its national, cultural and religious identity; it saw the destruction of the intellectual elite, the custodians of the Nation’s civil and religious heritage.

Saint John Paul II encouraged the patriotism of the Ukrainian people already in those first moments in the land of Ukraine, quoting the Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko and stating:

I embrace you all, beloved Ukrainians, from Donetsk to Lviv, from Kharkiv to Odessa and to Simferopol! In the very name Ukraine there is a reminder of the greatness of your Country which, with its history, bears witness to its unique vocation as the frontier and gate between East and West. Down the centuries this country has been the privileged crossroads of different cultures, the meeting place of the spiritual treasures of East and West.

Ukraine has a clearly European vocation, emphasized also by the Christian roots of your culture. My hope is that these roots will strengthen your national unity, bringing the life-blood of authentic and shared values to the reforms now under way. May this land continue in its noble mission, with the pride expressed by the poet just quoted when he wrote: "Nowhere in the world is there another Ukraine, nowhere is there another Dnieper". You who live in this Land, do not forget this!

That same day, in Kiev, at a meeting with politicians, intellectuals and businessmen, Saint John Paul II said:

The elders of your people remember with nostalgia the time when Ukraine was independent. That rather brief period was followed by the terrible years of the Soviet dictatorship and the very harsh famine of the early years of the 1930s, when your country, the "breadbasket of Europe", could no longer feed its own children, who were dying in millions. And we cannot forget the countless compatriots of yours who died during the 1941-1945 war against the Nazi invasion. Unfortunately, the liberation from nazism did not also constitute the liberation of the communist regime, which continued to trample on the most basic human rights, deporting defenseless citizens, imprisoning dissidents, persecuting believers, and even trying to erase from the people's conscience the very idea of freedom and independence. Luckily, the great historical change of 1989 allowed Ukraine to finally regain its freedom and full sovereignty.

On June 27, the Polish Pope presided in Lviv the beatification ceremony of 27 Ukrainian martyrs who were victims of communism. Saint John Paul II recalled some words from the Gospel of Saint John:

"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends". The martyrs declared Blessed today followed the Good Shepherd to the end. May their witness not be simply a boast for you: rather, may it become an invitation to imitate them.

That same day, at his farewell at Lviv International Airport, Saint John Paul II affirmed:

Thank you, Ukraine, who defended Europe in your untiring and heroic struggle against invaders.

Among words of affection to the Ukrainian people for the friendly welcome they received, the Polish Pope added:

Even if you still feel the painful scars of the tremendous wounds inflicted over endless years of oppression, dictatorship and totalitarianism, during which the rights of the people were denied and trampled upon, look with confidence to the future. This is the opportune time! This is the time for hope and daring!

I join the words of Saint John Paul II praising the patriotism and the tireless fight of the Ukrainian people for their freedom. How much this great Pope is missed.