On July 22, 2024, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, met with the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) during his visit to Ukraine (July 19-23). The meeting was held at the Apostolic Nunciature in Kyiv. 

During the meeting, the parties discussed various aspects related to the ongoing aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Topics included humanitarian issues, condemnation of the Russian World ideology, promotion of human rights protection in the occupied territories, the return to Ukraine of persons illegally detained by Russia (including children and civilians), the status of clergy during martial law, the role of churches in supporting society during hard times, and assistance to people and families in need.

Representatives of the UCCRO expressed gratitude to Cardinal Parolin for his visit to Ukraine. They appreciated the Holy See's continual advocacy at the international level concerning the war in Ukraine, the suffering of the Ukrainian people due to Russian aggression, and for supporting Ukraine's peace initiatives and assistance in establishing a just peace for Ukraine. They also thanked him for the humanitarian aid and medical treatment provided to Ukrainian children and for facilitating the return home of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians.

In his address to the members of the UCCRO, Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin noted that his visit to Ukraine is not only a demonstration of Pope Francis’ solidarity with the Ukrainian people but also a message to the international community. 

Cardinal Parolin emphasized the triple mission of the Holy See regarding the war in Ukraine. 

The first mission is to do everything possible to ensure that the world does not forget about this war. That is why the Holy See and the voice of the Pope constantly appeal to the conscience of modern people so that the world remembers the pain of the war in Ukraine.

The second mission is humanitarian. This mission involves providing the necessary humanitarian aid to people in Ukraine and the Holy See's activity to support and release prisoners of war and civilians illegally detained by Russia.

The third mission is diplomacy. Cardinal Parolin emphasized that diplomacy has a single goal - to promote a just peace and prevent war. War cannot be a tool for solving the problems of our time. In this context, from the very beginning, the Vatican has been supporting the Peace Formula of the President of Ukraine within its competence, particularly in humanitarian issues. The Holy See will do everything to ensure that an effective, just formula for peace to end Russian aggression in Ukraine is found. 

At the end of the meeting, Secretary of State, Cardinal P. Parolin invited the UCCRO to the Apostolic Capital for a follow-up visit. 

The meeting of the UCCRO with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal P. Parolin, was attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Holy See Andriy Yurash.

In January 2023, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations visited the Vatican and met with Pope Francis, Secretary of State Cardinal P. Parolin, and other officials.