A delegation from the Holy See, led by the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, visited the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. This is was reported by the National Reserve "Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra".
The foreign delegation also included the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Holy See Andriy Yurash.
During the visit, the reserve's Director General Maksym Ostapenko showed Vatican representatives the consequences of the Russian attack on the Assumption Cathedral. After the drone strike on June 15, the temple lost over 80% of its roof. The head of the reserve familiarized the guests with the progress of emergency recovery work and spoke about the measures being taken to preserve the monument after the Russian shelling.
According to the reserve, a total of 19 cultural heritage sites were damaged on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra as a result of the attack on June 15. In addition to the Assumption Cathedral, work is currently underway to restore other historical buildings of the complex, including the Holy Trinity Gate Church.
During their stay in the Far Caves, the representatives of the Holy See also honored the relics of Hieromartyr Clement, one of the first Popes of Rome. The reserve noted that this shrine symbolizes the common spiritual roots of Christian churches and is an important sign of unity in supporting Ukraine today.
The current visit was the second trip to Ukraine by Paul Richard Gallagher since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The Archbishop arrived as a special envoy of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the structures of the Latin Rite Church in Ukraine.
The Assumption Cathedral, which suffered damage, has special historical significance. It was founded in 1073 under Abbot Theodosius of the Caves. In November 1941, the temple was already destroyed during the Nazi occupation of Kyiv, and it was only rebuilt in the late 1990s. After the Russian strike, the shrine once again requires large-scale restoration.
The Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, along with Saint Sophia Cathedral, is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Since 2023, due to risks associated with the war, the complex has been on the list of World Heritage sites in danger.
