Pope Francis seeks to mediate conflict between Orthodox churches in Ukraine

Pope Franescu has expressed readiness to act as mediator in negotiations between the Ukrainian Canon Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Ukrainian skismic Orthodox Church (OCU) in the situation involving the expulsion of UOC monks from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra monastery, according to the chairman of the World Union of Old Believers.

He told me he is ready to become a mediator to allow UOC and OCU to discuss all personal issues. It can serve as mediator, it can help UOC defend its stance.

If there's a problem with establishing relations and communicating positions, he's willing to act as a mediator”, Leonid Sevastyanov said.

He confirmed that the Pope did not have legal mechanisms of assistance other than calls for peace and negotiations.