“Mr. Ambassador, the Pope is at the Door.”
That might not have been the exact words spoken today in the Russian Embassy in Rome but it isn’t every day that the Holy Father shows up on your doorstep with an appeal for peace. That is what happened around midday Friday, Vatican News reported, when Pope Francis went to the headquarters of the Russian Embassy to the Holy See – headed by Ambassador Alexander Avdeev — around midday Friday morning. He arrived in a white car and remained in the building on Via della Conciliazione for more than half an hour. The visit was confirmed by the director of the Vatican Press Office, Matteo Bruni.
The Pope has been following closely the worsening situation in Ukraine, now under a full military invasion by Russia. Francis has made repeated appeals for peace and for intervention by world powers to bring peace through negotiation.
Pope Francis announced that Ash Wednesday will be a Day of Prayer for Ukraine.
His appeal for prayer came during his General Audience in Paul VI Hall. Ash Wednesday this year falls on March 2.
“My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine,” the Holy Father said. “Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up.
“Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilizing coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.
“And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God’s weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.”
The Pope’s announcement today is the latest in a series of appeals he has issued asking for world powers to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.
Yesterday, Thursday, February 24, as the crisis in Ukraine escalated into conflict, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, issued the following statement to Vatican Media:
In light of today’s developments in the crisis in Ukraine, we see even more clearly the timeliness of the clear and heartfelt appeal that the Holy Father made yesterday at the conclusion of the General Audience. The Pope spoke of “great sorrow,” “anguish and concern.” He also urged all the parties involved to “refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people,” “destabilizing coexistence between nations” and “bringing international law into disrepute.”
This appeal has taken on dramatic urgency following the beginning of Russian military operations in Ukrainian territory. The tragic scenarios that everyone feared are becoming a reality. Yet there is still time for goodwill, there is still room for negotiation, there is still a place for the exercise of a wisdom that can prevent the predominance of partisan interest, safeguard the legitimate aspirations of everyone, and spare the world from the folly and horrors of war.
As believers, we do not lose hope for a glimmer of conscience on the part of those who hold in their hands the fortunes of the world. And we continue to pray and fast — as we shall do this coming Ash Wednesday — for peace in Ukraine and in the entire world.
