While the arrest was widely denounced by governments and human rights groups, Catholic entities offered varying degrees of condemnation, reflecting the gravity and delicacy of a situation that has escalated dramatically.
After months of saying publicly he would do everything possible to stop the war in Ukraine, including making a visit to the besieged country, Pope Francis said that a trip to Ukraine was now off the table.
There is only a slim chance of Vatican approval for resolutions calling for a relaxation of celibacy rules for priests and for permitting women to be deacons.