The war operations that have “affected the civilian population and vital infrastructure within the country are ignoble, unacceptable and cannot be justified in any way.” This is what Pope Francis wrote in a message, dated January 3, sent to the major archbishop of Kiev-Halych, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who in turn had written to the Pope at the end of the year to inform him of the consequences of the strong attack with missiles that Russia launched on December 29. The letter was released by the major archbishop’s secretariat.

«Once again – affirms the Pontiff – through you, I wish to express my closeness to the tormented Ukraine, to mourn the dead and entrust them to the mercy of God, to console the wounded and to embrace all those who suffer in any way. I am close to pastors who are trying to give hope to people “in a situation that seems increasingly desperate.”

Pope Francis adds that he regrets that, “in an increasingly dramatic international context, the war in Ukraine risks becoming a “forgotten” war. However, it is our duty not to allow silence to fall, not simply to keep the horror alive in the face of such tragic events, but, above all, to involve all those responsible and the international community in the search for peaceful solutions.”

The Holy Father concludes the letter to Shevchuk by stating that he takes advantage of every opportunity to remember conflict and suffering and quotes the words he just spoke at the January 3 audience: “War is madness, war is always a defeat. Let’s pray. We pray for the people of Palestine, of Israel, of Ukraine and of many places where there is war.” Pope Francis assured the Ukrainian archbishop that he will continue to launch “vibrant appeals to end the clash of arms in Ukraine and to begin paths towards fair peace.”