On October 6, Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti with Secretary Monsignor Joseph visited Zaporizhia and participated in the working meetings of the Technical Committee of the “Pope for Ukraine” Initiative.

According to the Chairman of the Technical Committee, Bishop John Sobilo, during his working visit to Zaporizhia Apostolic Nuncio conveyed to the Committee members the blessing of Pope Francis, with whom Archbishop Gugerotti met thrice for the last time. The papal representative recalled that the Pope takes active interest in the matters of those Ukrainians aggrieved by military aggression in Donbas, so he follows very closely the flow of the action. 

The Nuncio also reminded of the basic criteria and priorities, according to which the assistance from the Vaticanshould be distributed, first of all, the Holy Father asks residents to focus on the front-line areas, refugees from the ATO area, people who do not have food, medicines and shelter. So the very first projects that the Committee considers should cover those regions that have the largest number of registered IDPs (Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia and Kyiv).

“The initiative of Pope Francis is the exceptional manifestation of love and concern for the Holy Father to the needy. So during the regular visit to Zaporizhia Apostolic Nuncio personally had the opportunity to talk to people in need. In addition, Archbishop Claudio Gugerottiblessed the office of medical care, which was opened at the parish of God the Father Compassionate. Thus, the Vatican ambassador once again demonstrated his deep sympathy with the people who need help, especially in those regions of Ukraine that experience the consequences of war,” Bishop Ian Sobilo said.

The visit of the Apostolic Nuncio was the opportunity to implement the first submitted to the Committee that complied with all terms of the action. According to Bishop Ian Sobilo, now the Committee recevies a lot of projects in accordance with the instructions of the Holy See, published on the website of “Pope for Ukraine.”

The first selected projects that meet the criteria of the actionare already being implemented. Simultaneously, the Technical Committee continues consideration of the applications submitted by other parishes and community organizations that work with immigrants and refugees in Eastern Ukraine. Chairman of the Technical Committee reminded all potential participants and partner of “Pope for Ukraine” that the Committee provide advice to all applicants during personal meetings and presentations, as well as by phone and email, which are listed on the site. Therefore, one can reach the Committee any time to seek clarification of instructions.

“Claudio Gugerotti has returned to Kyiv, leaving his prayers and blessings with all who work on the implementation of the project of Pope Francis. All committee members are grateful to the Holy Father, who expressed solidaritythrough his representative with those who need assistance and those involved in the project,” Bishop Ian Sobilo concludes.