The pope called on the Angelus for “concrete measures” to end the war in Ukraine after Russian troops violated the ceasefire declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin and captured the eastern city of Kramatorsk on Friday had attacked.
Information about the attack on that Ukrainian city was confirmed by the Deputy Chief of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine.
“May the birth of the Savior bring comfort, give hope and inspire concrete measures that can lead once and for all to an end to the fighting and to peace. Let us pray a lot for Ukraine and for peace,” asked Pope Francis, at the day the Catholic Church celebrates an event referred to as “the Epiphany of the Lord”.
The senior figure of the Roman Catholic Church also conveyed his “best wishes to the communities of the Eastern Churches”, both Catholic and Orthodox, who, since they do not follow the Gregorian calendar, will celebrate Christmas on Saturday.
“In a special way, I would like to wish well to the brothers and sisters of the ravaged Ukrainian people,” he concluded.
The pope – who presided over the solemn funeral of emeritus Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday – lamented at this Friday’s morning mass, which he celebrated in St. Peter’s Basilica, that today’s society offers “soul anesthetics”. those are “substitutes to soothe and erase our worries” questions about happiness and a fulfilling life.
He also lamented that today’s society has lost “the sense of worship” and urged believers not to fear “anxiety” and to strengthen “the courage” to take the “risks along the way” in the search for God, like the magician.
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24 has so far led to the flight of more than 14 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced people and more than 7.9 million to European countries -, according to the latest data from the UN, which classifies this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
Currently, 17.7 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and shelter.
The Russian invasion – justified by Putin with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security – was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and instituting political and economic measures. lay.
The UN presented as confirmed since the start of the war, which today has entered its 317th day, 6,919 civilian deaths and 11,075 wounded, underlining that these numbers are far below the real ones.
Source: DN
