Joint Statement on Polish-Ukrainian relations

Rome—Kyiv, 29 June 2026

Joint Statement on Polish-Ukrainian relations

In unity with the Holy Father Leo XIV, whose first year of pontificate was marked by persistent work to build peace based on the common good and by resolute opposition to war in all its dimensions, from relations between peoples and conflicts within states to social tensions, we raise our voice as Cardinals gathered in the consistory, originating from Poland and Ukraine, called to bear a special responsibility for the communion of the Church and to support the ministry of the Successor of Saint Peter. We do this together with our brother, the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, aware that the question of reconciliation between Poles and Ukrainians concerns not only relations between the two peoples but also the authenticity of our common Christian witness.

Following Pope Leo XIV, we are convinced that the first step towards peace is the disarmament of language. This applies not only to words, but also to gestures, signs and symbols. They can also wound, close the path to encounter and generate fear. The Holy Father recalls that peace is “disarming and disarming”, and the construction of the common good requires evangelical language: clear but not demeaning; courageous but not aggressive; truthful but not closing the path to forgiveness.

It is with pain that we observe the growth of mutual tension and the revival of hostility between Poles and Ukrainians. Even more painful is that this is happening at a time when Ukraine continues to experience the horrors of war, and Poland has shown great solidarity with millions of Ukrainian sisters and brothers in recent years. It is especially painful that this is happening at a time when Ukrainian Catholics are celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the historic visit to Ukraine by the Pope, who was Polish.

In this context, we return to the words of the Holy Father John Paul II from his letter on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary — as the author himself put it — of the tragic events in Volhynia. These words are worth pondering for all people of good will, and for us, Catholics of different rites and peoples, they should become a model and norm of action, including in our approach to historical issues. The Pope wrote, in particular:

In the blizzard of World War II, when the need for solidarity and mutual assistance should have been paramount, the black acts of evil poisoned hearts, and its weapons led to the shedding of innocent blood. Today (…) in the hearts of most Poles and Ukrainians, the need for a deep examination of conscience is growing. There is a need for reconciliation, which would allow us to look at the present and the future with a new spirit. This prompts me to be grateful to God together with those who, in reflection and prayer, remember all the victims of these acts of violence.

The new millennium, which we have just entered, demands that Ukrainians and Poles not remain enslaved by their sad memories of the past. Reflecting on the events of the past from a new perspective, striving to build a better future for all, let them look at each other with eyes of reconciliation (Vatican, July 7, 2003).

This appeal of Saint John Paul II to both peoples so dear to him, with the great participation of the Churches, was heard and taken up by Poles and Ukrainians. Behind us are years of prayers, meetings, joint letters (2005), declarations (2013) and messages (2023), as well as cooperation in providing assistance to refugees and those in need. This legacy is a great commitment received from those who before us had the courage to speak the truth without contempt and hatred, to call for conversion, to humbly ask for forgiveness and to forgive courageously, extending the hand of reconciliation, despite the still unhealed and painful wounds.

That is why today, as new tensions arise and mistrust grows again, the Pope’s words from the aforementioned letter resonate with new force:

Since God has forgiven us in Christ, believers must be able to forgive one another for the wrongs they have done and to ask forgiveness for their own mistakes, thus contributing to the building of a world where life, justice, harmony and peace are respected. Christians are called to acknowledge the errors of the past, to awaken their consciences to the compromises of the present and to open their hearts to a true and lasting conversion (Vatican, 7 July 2003).

We are aware that conversion begins in our own hearts. The Pope calls each of us — Poles and Ukrainians — to personal conversion, not to holding others accountable. We can call others to conversion only when we ourselves humbly acknowledge our own sins.

We are convinced that for a Christian, knowing the truth is a task that always stands side by side with love for one’s neighbour. The memory of the past is an extremely important element of the identity of every human community. Following His Holiness Pope Francis, we would like to remind you that “in the everyday life of every person, as well as every society, there are two types of memory — good and evil, positive and negative. Good memory is that which (…) glorifies the Lord and His works of salvation. Negative memory, on the other hand, is that which obsessively focuses the gaze of the mind and heart on evil, especially on that committed by others” (Krakow, July 27, 2016).

We feel the duty not to abandon the common path begun with the blessing of Saint John Paul II but to walk it patiently and courageously. There is too much that unites our peoples for us to allow our common heritage to be wasted.

When we impose our own vision of the past and the future on others, we succumb to the logic of a culture of violence and power. Together with the Holy Father Leo XIV, we call on everyone to think primarily in terms of the common good and not only of private interests. The Gospel in which we believe teaches us that the remedy for sin is forgiveness, and the limit that God has set for evil is mercy.

† Cardinal Mykola Bychok, C. Ss. R

† Cardinal Konrad Krajewski

† Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz

† Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś

† Major Archbishop of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk