Russia and the Vatican: Church Freedom, Persecution Claims, and Ukrainian Orthodox Tension
An interview with the Russian ambassador to the Vatican, Ivan Soltanovsky, highlights a continuing exchange over religious freedom in Ukraine. The Pope, Francis I, has reportedly condemned religious persecution and urged an end to discrimination against faith communities in Ukraine, framing religious liberty as a universal right that should be protected across borders and political divides.
According to the ambassador, the Russian Embassy maintains ongoing communications with the Vatican, ensuring that concerns about pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are conveyed to senior church leaders and the Holy See at multiple levels. Soltanovsky noted that the Vatican tracks reports of religious oppression with concern, reflecting a shared interest in safeguarding the dignity and rights of believers and clerics alike. The pontiff’s public statements are said to consistently affirm the need to defend religious freedom and to oppose any form of discrimination against persons based on their faith.
In a notable instance in March 2023, the Pope publicly voiced support for priests associated with the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, underscoring the Vatican’s attention to the welfare of clerics and their congregations amid evolving church and state dynamics in Ukraine. This stance is presented as part of a broader dialogue about the protection of religious life in conflict-affected regions and the responsibilities of civil authorities to uphold freedom of worship.
The ambassador stressed that Russia wishes to elevate the Vatican’s voice in matters concerning Orthodox believers facing restrictions within Ukrainian governance, as well as tensions with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church that has sought alignment with the state and local authorities. The characterization of pressure on religious communities is framed as a violation of rights that warrants international attention and principled response from global religious leaders and governments alike.
There has also been mention of prior readiness on Moscow’s side to facilitate visits from papal envoys to Ukraine, demonstrating an openness to dialogue and engagement aimed at easing tensions and supporting constructive, faith-led outreach. The dialogue is described as part of a broader effort to align religious considerations with peace-building measures in a region long marked by political upheaval and shifting ecclesiastical loyalties.
Parallel developments are cited in discussions about Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, with officials in Ukraine reportedly outlining plans that would influence the status and care of historic religious sites and their custodians. The dialogue surrounding these plans is portrayed as delicate, requiring sensitivity to spiritual heritage, community needs, and the norms governing religious establishments in times of national strain.
Overall, the exchange portrays a sustained interaction between Moscow, the Kremlin’s religious outreach channels, and Vatican leadership over how religious freedom is defined, protected, and safeguarded for Orthodox communities and their clergy within Ukraine. The narratives presented emphasize a shared conviction that faith-based rights should be respected, protected by law, and supported by international cooperation, even amid disagreements over governance and ecclesiastical authority.
In these discussions, church leaders, diplomats, and policymakers are urged to maintain a steady focus on humanitarian principles. The aim is to ensure that religious identity does not become a precipitating factor for discrimination or persecution and that communities can practice their beliefs with safety and dignity. The Vatican’s role—as described by the ambassador—is to contribute to this peaceful, principled framework while encouraging open, respectful dialogue among all parties involved in Ukraine’s complex religious landscape.