Ukrainian journalist reveals "secret": Pope Francis helped us buy drones, paid for them with his own money

2025-04-22 17:48:27Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Ukrainian journalist reveals "secret": Pope Francis helped us buy
Pope Francis

In late 2023, Pope Francis secretly helped purchase drones for the 93rd “Kholodnyi Yar” brigade of the Ukrainian Army.

At the time, he was nicknamed "Secret Santa" and the aid only became known after his death on April 21.

This is reported by Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Zinchenko, through a publication on the social media Facebook.

In December 2023, a fundraiser was announced for the fighters of the 93rd “Kholodnyi Yar” brigade, which was moving quite slowly, so the volunteers were worried that it would not be possible to buy the necessary things for the New Year holidays.

It was then that Oleksandr Zinchenko received a call from a confidant of the Pope who offered him help.

"This was done with the knowledge and blessing of Pope Francis under conditions of confidentiality up to a certain point. It was his personal money. Not the Vatican's," the journalist emphasized.

Initially, two drones were purchased through fundraising, but later Pope Francis paid for a third drone, which they wanted to name in his honor, but 'they decided that someone might have guessed who the funder was.' So the drone was named 'Santa' and the charity was called 'Secret Santa'.

"When the trustee who donated the money sees fit and appropriate to comment publicly on this story, he will do so. Today is a day of loss of a loved one and friend for that person. Therefore, I would respectfully ask that you take a pause," Zinchenko said.

Furthermore, the journalist reported on 'another case', which was discussed in Kyrylo Budanov's interview for UP on October 24, 2022. The head of Ukrainian Intelligence then hinted at the Pope's participation in the exchange of prisoners of war.

"In a meeting with the Jesuits, the Pope spoke about his participation in the exchange of prisoners of war on a regular basis. Francis said almost in direct text that he had met with you, and sources close to the Catholic Church confirm the fact that you met with the Pope. Tell us about your conversation with Pope Francis," the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate was asked at the time.

Budanov replied that he talks to many people in the framework of his work, especially with the Vatican, but he cannot yet reveal all the details.


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