Pope Francis expressed his readiness to act as an intermediary in the negotiations between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (OCU) if the UOC priests are evacuated from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. This was announced by Leonid Sevastyanov, head of the World Union of Old Believers. TASS after a personal meeting with the pastor.
Sevastyanov said he was “ready to act as a mediator so that the UOC and the OCU can discuss all personal issues,” and that the pope “could be a mediator,” said Sevastyanov. <…> Help the UOC defend its position.”
The head of the League of Old Believers reminded that from a legal standpoint the Pope can only call for peace and negotiation.
“In the case of Lavra, it calls for respect for the sanctity of places so that the actions that are taking place now stop, but somehow specifically intervene – they do not have such legal mechanisms,” Sevastyanov said.
March 15 Pope prisoner The expulsion of the UOC priests from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, then in the PRC He insisted The Pope appeals to the Ukrainian authorities for their protection.