Pope Francis Secretly Helps AFU
- 22.04.2025, 11:45

The help became known only after the death of the pontiff.
In late 2023, Pope Francis secretly helped to purchase drones for the 93rd brigade ‘Kholodnyi Yar’. At that time he was nicknamed ‘Secret Santa’, and the help became known only after the death of the religious figure on 21 April.
This was reported by Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Zinchenko on Facebook.
It turned out that in December 2023, a fundraising was announced for fighters from the 93 brigade ‘Kholodnyi Yar’, which was moving rather slowly, so the volunteers were worried that it would not be possible to procure the necessary for the New Year holidays. That's when Oleksandr Zinchenko received a call from the Pope's confidant offering to help.
‘This was done with the knowledge and blessing of Pope Francis on conditions of confidentiality up to a certain point. It was his personal money. Not the Vatican's,’ the journalist emphasised.
At first two drones were bought thanks to the fundraising, but later Pope Francis also paid for a third drone, which they wanted to name in his honour, but ‘decided that someone might have guessed’. So the UAV was named ‘Santa’ and the benefactor was named ‘Secret Santa’.
‘When the trustee who donated the money finds it possible and appropriate to comment publicly on this story - he will. Today is a day of loss of a loved one and friend for that person. Therefore, I would very much ask to respectfully hold a pause,’ Zinchenko said.
Moreover, the journalist reported about ‘another case’, which was discussed in Kyrylo Budanov's interview for the UP on 24 October 2022. Then the head of Ukrainian intelligence hinted at the Pope's participation in exchanging prisoners of war.
‘At a meeting with the Jesuits, the Pope talked about his participation in exchanging prisoners of war in a neat way. Francis said almost in direct text that he had met with you, and sources close to the Catholic Church confirm the fact that you have 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 within the framework of his work, particularly with the Vatican, but he cannot disclose all the details yet.