A Ukrainian nun meets Pope Leo XIV, sharing pleas from war-torn communities and images of captive soldiers amid ongoing conflict.
Newsroom (22/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) A Ukrainian nun serving on the front lines of Russia’s war against Ukraine delivered an emotional plea for peace during a private audience with Pope Leo XIV, bringing with her not only symbolic gifts but also the personal suffering of those caught in the conflict.
Basilian Sister Lucia Murashko, who ministers in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia, met the pontiff on May 18 as part of a delegation from the Catholic Extension Society. The Chicago-based organization, led by Cardinal Blaise J. Cupich, supports Catholic communities in some of the poorest regions of the United States and its territories.
For Sister Lucia, the encounter was deeply personal. “While we were waiting for him, I was crying,” she said afterward, describing the overwhelming emotions she felt ahead of meeting the pope. “I was so touched by the event.”
During the audience, Pope Leo praised the society’s work in places such as Puerto Rico and Cuba, calling it “a beautiful expression of the universality of the Church.” He also encouraged continued outreach to marginalized populations, including immigrant families in the United States. Yet the meeting took on a more urgent tone when Sister Lucia shared the reality of life in a country still under constant attack.
A War Brought Into the Vatican
The Basilian Sisters, recipients of the Catholic Extension Society’s 2023–2024 Lumen Christi Award, have been recognized for their global ministry aiding Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons. Their work has become increasingly critical as the war — which began with Russia’s initial incursions in 2014 — continues to devastate communities across Ukraine.
Zaporizhzhia, where Sister Lucia serves alongside fellow sisters Yelysaveta Varnitska and Bernadette Dvernytska, lies just a dozen miles from active fighting. The proximity to the front line means daily exposure to bombardment and constant danger.
“We are bombed every day,” Sister Lucia had said earlier in May, underscoring the relentless nature of the conflict.
At the Vatican, she sought to bridge that distance by bringing tangible reminders of the war’s human cost. Among the items she presented was a hand-painted icon created by Sister Bernadette. The painting depicted Jesus crowned with thorns and the Virgin Mary sorrowfully leaning toward him, her blue-and-gold veil echoing the Ukrainian flag. The icon was wrapped in a simple rushnyk — a traditional embroidered cloth — intentionally modest in design.
“Ukraine is not in a situation that admits of luxury,” Sister Lucia noted.
Faces of Captivity
Perhaps the most poignant items she carried were photographs of two Ukrainian soldiers currently held in Russian captivity. The images were entrusted to her by a woman named Oksana, who has already lost her husband and son to the war and now assists the sisters in their work.
“She said, ‘Please give these to the pope. Let him know that we are waiting for these two boys,’” Sister Lucia recounted.
The soldiers’ stories reflect the broader anguish of families torn apart by war. Both men have children. One has never met his newborn twins, born after his capture.
Sister Lucia said Pope Leo responded with compassion and attentiveness. “He was very attentive to what I said. He was really present,” she said.
The nun also conveyed a broader message from her community — a collective refusal to yield despite immense hardship. Residents, she said, asked her to tell the pope: “Please tell him about our life, how we struggle here, and how we need his help.” They insisted they would not surrender, even as religious freedom comes under threat in areas occupied by Russian forces.
Faith Amid Suffering
Beyond the stories of loss and captivity, Sister Lucia shared a striking account of spiritual resilience. She described a Ukrainian soldier who endured nine months of captivity and torture before being released in a prisoner exchange — yet emerged without hatred toward his captors.
“I asked him how he lived through all that experience, and he said, ‘I prayed and God protected me,’” she recalled.
The soldier’s response, she said, has become a source of reflection and inspiration — a “spiritual retreat” that has reshaped her understanding of endurance and forgiveness.
“He doesn’t have any anger for them. He does not curse anyone,” she said. “He understands… and he doesn’t have any anger or hatred in his heart.”
Hope in a Time of War
Sister Lucia arrived in Rome not only bearing witness to suffering but also extending an invitation. She has previously called on Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine, a gesture that would signal solidarity with a nation still enduring daily attacks.
As she prepares to return to Zaporizhzhia, she carries back what she describes as renewed strength.
“The blessing from the pope gives us hope and strength to continue,” she said.
In a war defined by destruction and division, her encounter at the Vatican stands as a moment of connection — a reminder, she suggested, that even amid violence, faith and human dignity endure.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form OSV News
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