Echoing comments made by the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the apostolic nuncio in Ukraine has distanced himself from plans to include Russian as well as Ukrainian families in the Pope’s Via Crucis at the Colosseum on Good Friday evening.

“Let us wait and see the final version” of the program, said Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, who expressed hope that the decision might be changed.

“Reconciliation must come when aggression is stopped, when Ukrainians will be able not only to save their lives but also their freedom,” he added. “And, of course, we know that reconciliation occurs when the aggressor admits their guilt and apologizes.”