«I would like to entrust to Mary very especially the next pilgrimage I will undertake to Ukraine, beginning this coming Saturday,» the Holy Father said today, as he addressed pilgrims in St. Peter´s Square, gathered below his apartment window. «May this apostolic trip mark a new stage on the way toward the desired unity of all Christians.»
John Paul II´s trip to Kiev and Lviv will take place from June 23-27. Some Orthodox Church leaders in Ukraine oppose the trip, in part because of tensions with Greek-Catholics.
But surveys indicate that other Orthodox currents, as well as most of the population, will welcome the Pontiff, who is expected to attract 2 million people to his public events.
