Pope Francis this Sunday asked the faithful to involve the Ukrainian people “in their prayers, feelings and help”, in a new appeal to war in Ukraine made this morning at the end of the Angelus prayer at the Vatican.
“Let’s not forget the martyred Ukrainian people, who suffer so much. Let’s show ourselves close with our feelings, help and prayer,” Francis said at the end of the Angelus, in St. Peter’s Square.
This new appeal from Pope Francis comes after a spate of Russian attacks on Saturday in several Ukrainian regions that left at least 26 dead and 81 injured, according to information from the deputy head of the Ukrainian president’s office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko.
The chief of staff of the Ukrainian president, Andriy Yermak, said in an interview with the Italian channel Skytg24 that “it is time for the Pope to visit Ukraine”.
“I think it is time for the Pope to visit Ukraine and send a very clear signal that it is Russia that must stop what it has started. We appreciate all peace initiatives, including those of the Pope,” the Pope said. official. .
Revealing that he has been in contact with Vatican Secretary of State, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Andriy Yermak defended that “Russia must stop the offensive”.
“It is up to them to stop the conflict: they are killing civilians and destroying our infrastructure,” he added.
The military offensive launched by Russia against Ukraine on February 24, 2022 was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and political and economic sanctions to Moscow.
The Russian invasion has so far led to the flight of more than 14 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced and more than 7.9 million to European countries – according to the latest data from the United Nations, which classifies this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
The United Nations estimates 6,952 civilians dead and 11,144 injured, emphasizing that these numbers are well below the actual numbers.
Source: DN
