At the conclusion of his general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis made a specific plea for peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Six months after the conflict began, Pope declared on August 24 that “today in a unique manner, we think of Ukraine and Russia, both nations I have committed to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.”
He begged, “May she, like Mother, cast her sight on these two cherished nations: see Ukraine, see Russia, and bring us peace.” We need peace.
Since Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a full-scale invasion of the nation on February 24, the pope has regularly pleaded for peace in Ukraine.
The invasion’s six-month anniversary falls on August 24, Ukraine Independence Day, which honours the year of the nation’s 1991 Declaration of Independence.
Francis made the statement in the Paul VI hall of the Vatican following a catechesis on ageing, death, and the resurrection of the body. “I renew my invitation to implore peace from the Lord for the beloved Ukrainian people who for six months — today — have been suffering the horror of war,” Francis said.
I hold the inmates in my heart, particularly those who are in vulnerable situations, and I urge on the appropriate authorities to act for their release, the man stated.
He said, “I think of the children, so many dead, then so many refugees — there are so many here in Italy — so many injured, so many Ukrainian and Russian children who have lost their parents. “Orphanhood has no nationality; whether Russian or Ukrainian, they have lost their parents.”
The pope expressed his hope that decisive action would be done to end the conflict and lower the possibility of a nuclear meltdown at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeast Ukraine.
The biggest nuclear power plant in Europe and one of the top ten largest in the world is Zaporizhzhia. The power plant was taken over by Russian forces in March. Concerns of a nuclear meltdown have increased this month as close artillery fire has once again hit the facility.
A demilitarised zone should be established around the power plant, according to representatives of the European Union and UN.
Also highlighted by Pope Francis on Wednesday were the horrors of war and the price innocent people must pay for the insanity of others.
He repeated, “The innocent pay for war, the innocent.” “Let’s reflect on this truth and declare to one another that war is crazy. And thugs who murder people are those who benefit from war and the armaments trade.
The pope said that he also keeps in mind the Rohingya people who have been expelled from Burma as well as other war-torn nations like Syria and Yemen, where children are starving.