The Visit of the Papal Almoner, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, to Ukraine: A Sign of Pope Leo XIV’s Closeness
From 27 to 30 October 2026, Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity of the Holy See, visited Ukraine, accompanied by the Dicastery’s Deputy Secretary, Dr Massimo Ralli. The purpose of the visit was to convey the closeness and support of the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, to the Ukrainian people suffering from the consequences of the war. The programme included visits to Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Fastiv and other cities, and was carried out in cooperation with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine.
During meetings with representatives of Church and charitable organisations, particular attention was given to supporting children, families and the elderly. The delegation learned about the work of centres where hot meals are prepared for hundreds of people, shelter is provided during Russian attacks, and material and psychological assistance is offered. Another important sign of solidarity was the humanitarian initiative of the Apostolic Almonry at the Vatican, which organised a collection for Ukraine of warm clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, non-perishable food and household items in preparation for the difficult winter ahead. This mission is a concrete expression of Pope Leo XIV’s concern for the Ukrainian people and of the Holy See’s commitment to supporting those enduring the hardships of war.
