Chasing down reports that the Vatican is considering a papal trip to Ukraine, JD Flynn of The Pillar finds hints that the Pope might consider raising the status of the Byzantine-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church to the dignity of a patriarchate.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church was for years the largest of the Eastern churches in full communion with Rome. (It has recently been overtaken in that category by the fast-growing Syro-Malabar Church, based in India.) But unlike some smaller Catholic communities, such as the Syriac and Coptic Catholic churches, the UCC is not officially classified as a patriarchate; its leader has the title of Major Archbishop.

The ancient Church recognized patriarchates in Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, and Constantinople as well as Rome. But over time other sees were given the same title. The archbishops of Venice and Lisbon have the title of Patriarch, for example; the Chaldean Catholic Church has a Patriarchate of Baghdad.

A Major Archbishop, like a Patriarch, presides over a separate hierarchical structure, largely independent of Rome. The difference between the two titles is more symbolic than practical.

In Ukraine, however, the symbolic importance of the title is enormous. The Russian Orthodox Church, which still claims Ukraine as its “canonical territory,” recognizes a Patriarch of Kiev, and Roman reluctance to give a Catholic prelate the same title has been interpreted as a desire to avoid giving offense to Moscow.

But for the last few years, for obvious reasons, Ukrainians— including those of the Orthodox faith— have been anxious to shed historic ties to Moscow. The Vatican, meanwhile, has supported the suffering people of war-torn Ukraine. A papal visit would be a boost for the country’s morale; a visit combined with recognition of a Ukrainian patriarchate could be a shot a adrenaline.

Stay tuned.