You must form a deep bond to nourish friendship, and you must summon the courage to send a message to keep it alive during a brutal fraternal conflict that has claimed countless lives. This is the story of two friends, Irina, a Ukrainian nurse, and Albina, a Russian nurse. They walk in step during a traditional Easter Week ceremony at the Colosseum in Rome on Good Friday, carrying a cross together at a stop that symbolized the death of Jesus of Nazareth. The moment followed an event organized by Vatican authorities that sparked criticism from Ukrainian representatives and Catholic media outlets from several countries.
The protest began with news of the two women appearing at the ceremony and gained momentum over the week, culminating in actions by various Catholic media conservatives such as Radio Maria, Credo magazine, and the Ukrainian branch of US television EWTN, which chose not to broadcast the event on Friday as a form of protest. The stance drew attention beyond the channels of those outlets. Andrii Yurash, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican, warned of possible consequences for the Pope’s gesture.
Likewise, Sviatoslav Svevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, described the plan as ill suited for the moment. Svevchuk emphasized that although reconciliation initiatives can be constructive, the specifics and the context could not be ignored. Vitalii Kryvytsky, bishop of Kyiv Zhitomir, echoed these concerns.
Vatican nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas in Kiev argued that churches and religious groups in Ukraine, torn between Russians and Ukrainians, should pursue dialogue only after the war ends and Ukrainians are ensured safety and freedom. He underscored the necessity of concrete conditions for reconciliation.
Ultimately the Vatican and the Pope did not abandon the plan. The Italian branch of the Franciscan order also moved forward with a similar decision during a virtual Easter event on Friday, including two Ukrainian women and two participants from Russia and Ukraine. The ceremony took place in a region near the eastern front lines, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the Slavic nation.
“He asked me for forgiveness, he was heartbroken” because of the war
Despite the controversy, Irina and Albina represent another facet of a broader tragedy unfolding in the world. Their connection began in a setting shaped by the covid pandemic. Both women met in the palliative care wards of the Bio-Medical Campus at the University Polyclinic of Rome. Irina is a nurse from Ukraine, while Albina is a nurse from Russia. Even as the war unleashed by Russian President Vladimir Putin rages on, their resolve to stand by each other remains firm and publicly visible. They insist their friendship strengthens their stance against violence and war, not the opposite.
In a recent interview with a major Italian broadcaster, Albina expressed a desire for a lasting peace. She said that the pain of civilians in any conflict crosses borders and affects children everywhere. Irina echoed that sentiment, stressing that no child should be awakened by the sound of bombs and that everyone deserves safety and a home free from fear. Their words convey a shared longing for humanity amid a landscape shredded by war.
For both women, the road has not been easy. Irina recalled the moment Albina apologized before she could offer comfort. Albina explained her remorse, insisting the guilt did not rest on either of them, but rather on the war itself. Both women have remained candid about their wish for a path to peace and reconciliation, even as they navigate the pressures and scrutiny that come with their unlikely friendship and public attention. The question remains whether their message has reached the hearts of those who judge the strategies of religious and political leaders in times of crisis.