How does the Church in Poland help Ukrainians?"Ukraine suffers and deserves peace," says Pope on Day of PrayerThe text of the Consecration of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary is as followsThe faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square listened live to a strong denunciation of the development of the armed conflict, the suffering of the innocent population and the request that the political leaders agree to an immediate cease-fire. To President Vladimir Putin he pleaded - that is the word he used - to stop the "spiral of violence and death". Likewise, after recalling the immense suffering endured by the Ukrainian population, he addressed "an equally confident appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious peace proposals".
He also called on the various international leaders "to do everything in their power to put an end to the ongoing war, without getting drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support dialogue initiativesPlease, let us make it possible for the younger generation to breathe the healthy air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness!
Deterioration of the situation in Ukraine
The Pope is particularly concerned about the worsening course of events. A war whose wounds "instead of healing, continue to bleed more and more, with the risk of widening". The news of the last few days is particularly worrying, because "the risk of a nuclear escalation is increasing, to the point that uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences are feared at the global level".
In recent weeks the Pope has referred on several occasions to the Ukrainian conflict as a third world war, developed in Ukraine but with many international actors and interests. Following the trip undertaken by the Polish almoner and cardinal Konrad KrajewskiThe Pope has had a more direct knowledge of the barbarities of war and is now especially concerned about how the situation is worsening. That is why, in the last part of his speech, he again showed his concern "And what to say about the fact that humanity is once again facing the atomic threat? It is absurd."
Pope recalls the no to war
Pope Francis spoke with closeness and true empathy about the conflict: "I am grieved by the rivers of blood and tears shed in recent months. I grieve for the thousands of victims, especially children, and for the numerous destructions, which have left many people and families homeless and threaten vast territories with cold and hunger. Such actions can never, never be justified! [...] What more has to happen? How much blood must still flow before we understand that war is never a solution, but only destruction? In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my appeal for an immediate cease-fire. Let the weapons be silenced and let the conditions be sought to initiate negotiations capable of leading to solutions not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable. And they will be such if they are based on respect for the sacrosanct value of human life, as well as for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, as well as for the rights of minorities and their legitimate concerns".
