Pope criticizes ban on Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine

Pope criticizes ban on Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine

Pope Francis on Sunday protested Ukraine’s decision to ban the Russian church from operating in the country.

He announced this during a Sunday meeting with the faithful, Vatican News

The Pope noted that he continues to watch with pain the military actions in Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

"Thinking about the recently adopted law in Ukraine, I feel concerned about the freedom of those who pray, because he who truly prays always prays for everyone."

"No one does evil just because he prays. If someone harms his people, he will be held accountable for it, but prayer cannot be considered evil," the Pope said.

He added that those "who want to pray" should be allowed to do so in the church they consider their own.

"Please, let no Christian church be liquidated, directly or indirectly: churches must not be touched," Francis stressed.

He called for continued prayers "for wars to stop."