Russian propaganda is actively operating within the environment of the Holy See, even though the Vatican for a long time did not perceive itself as a participant in an information war.
This was stated at a meeting at Ukrinform by the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), commenting on the influence of Russian information narratives on the international ecclesiastical and diplomatic environment.
He emphasized that Russian propaganda in the Vatican is real and operates through official diplomatic channels. However, until recently, there was little belief that manipulation could occur at such a level.
“For a long time, the Vatican did not fully realize that propaganda could operate at the level of official diplomatic representatives. There was disbelief that the Russian ambassador to the Holy See could openly manipulate or simply deceive, because diplomacy is traditionally built on trust,” the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church explained.
As an example, he cited the situation involving two Ukrainian priests abducted in Berdiansk, whose fate remained without any reliable information for almost a year and a half. After the location of their detention was established, the Vatican received official information from the Russian side regarding the conditions of their confinement, which differed significantly from eyewitness accounts.
“The discrepancy between the official picture and what was actually happening at the places of detention was striking,” Sviatoslav stressed.
He noted that the Russian propaganda machine constantly generates new information narratives, presented in the form of simple formulas and messages aimed at a broad audience.
“These are a kind of information bullets used to fire at everyone and everywhere. We know very well what information and psychological operations are, but for a long time the Vatican did not perceive itself as a space where such a war is being waged,” the Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church noted.
According to him, the situation is now gradually changing. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has built a systematic mechanism of communication with representatives of the Roman Curia.
“Several times a year, meetings are held with mid-level officials—those who shape the analytical environment. We systematically explain contexts, themes, and narratives and track where the latest information attacks originate,” the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church said.
He also drew attention to the role of Italian media, which serve as one of the key channels for the dissemination of information to Vatican officials.
“It is precisely within the Italian media space that most officials of the Holy See live—they read these publications and respond to them. Therefore, we clearly understand how and in what form propaganda operates today,” the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church concluded.
