This evening in Kyjiv, Pope John Paul II called upon leading Ukrainian political and civic figures to strengthen the "three pillars of any authentically human civilization": recognition of God's authority, respect for the dignity of the human person, and the exercise of power to serve the weakest in society.
Upon his arrival at the elegant Mariyinskyj Palace, the Pope met privately with President Leonid Kuchma, while Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo Sodano talked with Ukrainian Prime Minister, Anatoliy Kinakh and Parliamentary Chairman Ivan Pliushch.
The public meeting started with an address by President Leonid Kuchma who briefly characterized the current priorities for the country's development, focusing on religious pluralism, human rights, and the integration of Ukraine into Europe.
Not all problems among Ukraine's 105 religious confessions have been resolved, said Kuchma. But the government "is making every effort to ensure freedom of religion in Ukraine and to make the representatives of all confessions full-fledged and equal participants in society."
In his remarks to the political, cultural and business figures, Pope John Paul II echoed a similar theme, beginning with words of thanks for the possibility "to visit this noble country, a cradle of Christian civilization and a homeland where people of different nationalities and religions live together in peace." The Pope again stressed that he had come to Ukraine as a "pilgrim of peace, impelled solely by the desire to testify that Christ is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6).
Recalling the words of an early Ukrainian prince "Do not allow the powerful to destroy mankind", John Paul II cautioned those in power about the temptation to create a society without God. Mindful of Ukraine's pains in the 20th century, he alluded to "the terrible years of the Soviet dictatorship and the dreadful famine at the beginning of the 1930s", the victims of Nazism, and the subsequent regime's trampling of the most elementary human rights.
His Holiness called the Ukrainian nation to keep the values of the Gospel in their life which will help them to build "a modern and tolerant, open and fraternal society". In this regard, he appreciated the Preamble to the Constitution of Ukraine which reminds citizens of their "responsibility before God." For a true "civilization of love" to develop, the Pope particularly called attention to the need for the government to recognize theological education.
Once a philosophy professor himself, the Pope clearly felt eager to engage Ukrainian intellectuals and twice quoted from the Ukrainian philosopher Hrehorij Skovoroda.
"Everyone is called to make his own contribution in a spirit of courage and confidence", said the Pope. "The Catholic Church stands at the side of all people of good will and supports their efforts in the service of the common good."
23.06.2001 (22:01) // Religious Information Service of Ukraine
23. juni 2001