On Wednesday, at the end of the General Audience, Francis asked that the prayers of all “touch the minds and hearts of those responsible on earth.”

Newsroom (27/01/2022 12:10, Gaudium Press) On Wednesday, during the Day of Fasting and Prayer for Ukraine initiated by the Pope himself, and before the end of the General Audience, the Pontiff invited everyone to ask “the Lord with insistence that this land may see fraternity flourish and overcome wounds, fears and divisions.”

Pope Francis spoke about the history of the Slavic country, marked by pain: “It is a people who suffer; they have experienced hunger, they have suffered much cruelty, and they deserve peace.”

“May the prayers and supplications, which go up to Heaven today, touch the minds and hearts of those responsible on earth, so that they may make dialogue prevail, and the good of all be placed above partisan interests.”

“Please, never war,” Francis exclaimed.

In response to the Pope’s request for prayer for Ukraine, many initiatives in this regard are being taken, such as the one to be presided over by Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, with the community of Sant’Egidio in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere.

As well, the Ukrainian community in Rome, with the participation of Bishop Benoni Ambarus, will pray Vespers in the church of Santa Sofia.

Dioceses of the world have explicitly expressed their intentions for peace in Ukraine.

Compiled by Sandra Chisholm