No more war! … They have already suffered too much brutality! … Ukraine and Ukrainians deserve peace….
This was at the heart of Pope Francis’ fervent appeal on the World Day of Prayer for Peace for Ukraine, today, Jan. 26, during his weekly General Audience in the Vatican. The Pontiff announced today’s day of prayer following his midday Angelus prayer to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Jan. 23, the Third Sunday of the Word of God.
This morning, the Pope pleaded to those before him to pray the Our Father for peace in Ukraine, in that moment, and throughout the day, and in particular, he urged: “Let us ask the Lord to grant that the country may grow in the spirit of brotherhood, and that all hurts, fears and divisions will be overcome.
More than 5 Million Dead, Ukraine Deserves Peace
“We have spoken about the Holocaust,” Pope Francis reflected, “But let us think too that [in Ukraine] more than five million people were killed during the period of the last war.
“They are a people who have suffered; they have suffered from hunger, suffered from much brutality and they deserve peace.”
Finally, Francis prayed, “May the prayers and supplications that today rise up to heaven touch the minds and hearts of world leaders, so that dialogue may prevail and the common good be placed ahead of partisan interests.”
“Let us make our prayer for peace in the words of the Our Father,” the Pope said, “for it is the prayer of sons and daughters to the one Father, the prayer that makes us brothers and sisters, the prayer of children who plead for reconciliation and concord.”
No More War
“Please, no more war,” the Pope appealed.
The Pope also remembered that tomorrow, Jan. 27, is Holocaust Remembrance Day, stressing: “It is necessary to remember the extermination of millions of Jews, and people of different nationalities and religious faiths.”
“This unspeakable cruelty must never be repeated,” he insisted, adding: “I appeal to everyone, especially educators and families, to foster in the new generations an awareness of the horror of this black page of history. It must not be forgotten, so that we can build a future where human dignity is no longer trampled underfoot.”
When the Pope called for the day of prayer for peace for Ukraine during his Jan. 23 Angelus, he expressed his concern again for the nation and the tensions that could further threaten stability and peace there. “I am following with concern,” he stated, “the increase of tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow to the peace in Ukraine, and call into question the security of the European continent, with wider repercussions.
“I make a heartfelt appeal,” he continued, “to all people of good will, that they may raise prayers to God Almighty, that every political action and initiative may serve human brotherhood, rather than partisan interests.”
“Those who pursue their own interests, to the detriment of others,” the Pope underscored, “disregard their human vocation, as we were all created as brothers and sisters. For this reason, and with concern, given the current tensions, I propose that next Wednesday, 26 January be a day of prayer for peace.”
Below is the full Vatican-provided English translation of the Pope’s remarks regarding Ukraine this morning:
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I ask you to pray the Our Father for peace in Ukraine, now and throughout this Day. Let us ask the Lord to grant that the country may grow in the spirit of brotherhood, and that all hurts, fears and divisions will be overcome. We have spoken about the Holocaust. But let us think too that [in Ukraine] more than five million people were killed during the period of the last war. They are a people who have suffered; they have suffered from hunger, suffered from much brutality and they deserve peace. May the prayers and supplications that today rise up to heaven touch the minds and hearts of world leaders, so that dialogue may prevail and the common good be placed ahead of partisan interests.
Let us make our prayer for peace in the words of the Our Father, for it is the prayer of sons and daughters to the one Father, the prayer that makes us brothers and sisters, the prayer of children who plead for reconciliation and concord. Please, no more war.
Copyright © Dicastero per la Comunicazione – Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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