Our Lady of Fatima Shrine prays the Rosary for peace in Ukraine. The prayer request stands in communion with the appeal made by Pope Francis

Newsroom (23/02/2022 12:45 PM, Gaudium Press) Last Sunday, February 20, Cardinal Antonio Marto, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima, asked pilgrims to pray for peace in Ukraine.

The request was made during a Mass in the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity while celebrating the little shepherds of Fatima. The Cardinal asked all chaplains of the Shrine to pray explicitly for this intention.

Rosary: prayer of peace

The Shrine of Fatima recalls that Our Lady, in her apparitions, announced to the little shepherds the need to pray the Rosary every day as a means to achieve world peace.

Cardinal Marto explained that this prayer request stands in communion with the appeal made by Pope Francis regarding peace in Ukraine.

“Sometimes we believe that only the powerful (of economic and political powers can transform the world, -stressed Card. Marto- but God counts on the small and the humble, on the power of prayer to renew the world.”

The Russian advance

Tension between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, namely after the United States reported a massive concentration of Russian soldiers on the border with Ukraine.

Yesterday, February 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced his recognition of the separatist regions of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics as an integral part of Russia.

Soon after the official pronouncement, the Russian president sent troops to support the separatists and ensure peace in the region. Western powers dispute Putin’s decision. (FM)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj