On 23 October, during a private audience with Leo XIV at the Vatican, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), handed the Pope lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
This was reported by the Secretariat of the Head of the UGCC in Rome.
Handing the lists to the Pontiff is part of the UGCC Head’s ongoing efforts to strengthen international co-operation and engage the Holy See in humanitarian initiatives aimed at securing the release of Ukrainians held in Russian captivity.
As His Beatitude Sviatoslav has noted, he receives the names of the captives directly from their relatives, who approach him during meetings with Ukrainian communities in various regions of Ukraine. In his words, behind each such list are specific individuals and families waiting for their loved ones to return.
It will be recalled that today Ukraine brought back 270 people from Russian captivity. Those freed include National Guard personnel, in particular fighters from the "Azov" unit, border guards, Territorial Defence troops, service members of the Navy, the Ground Forces, the Air Assault Forces and the State Special Transport Service, as well as nine civilians.