Ukraine to Issue 2026 Commemorative Coin Honoring Pope John Paul II

The National Bank of Ukraine announced that it will issue a commemorative coin in 2026 dedicated to Pope John Paul II, whose apostolic visit to Ukraine in June 2001 highlighted Polish‑Ukrainian friendship and European aspirations. The coin is intended to symbolize freedom, reconciliation, responsibility for historical memory and European unity, continuing a numismatic tradition that included a joint 2023 Polish‑Ukrainian series titled “Friendship and Brotherhood.”

The decision was presented by NBU President Andrij Pysznyj and Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See Andrij Jurasz, who also referenced the memory of Polish volunteer Mark Ruska‑Wolski, killed in Kharkiv in July. Specific details such as denomination, mintage and official presentation will be released at a later date.