“We ask the Virgin Mary to touch the hearts of all those who can stop the war in Ukraine,” Pope Francis said after the Angelus prayer this Sunday, 18 December 2022, to the pilgrims and faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square.

These are the Pope’s words after the Marian prayer, provided by the Holy See Press Office:

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters!

I am concerned about the situation created in the Lachin Corridor in the Southern Caucasus. I am particularly concerned about the precarious humanitarian conditions of the population which risk further deterioration during the course of the winter season. I ask everyone involved to commit themselves to finding peaceful solutions for the good of the people.

And in addition, let us also pray for peace in Peru, that the violence in that country might cease and that the path of dialogue might be embarked upon to overcome the political and social crisis that is afflicting the population.

I greet all of you affectionately, those of you who have come from Rome, from Italy and from many parts of the world. I especially greet members of the faithful from California, and those from Madrid, as well as the groups from Praia A Mare, Catania, Caraglio, and from the parish of Santi Protomartiri in Rome.

Let us ask the Virgin Mary, whom the liturgy invites us to contemplate on this Fourth Sunday of Advent, to touch the hearts of those who can stop the war in Ukraine. Let us not forget the suffering of those people, especially of the babies, the elderly, the people who are sick. Let us pray. Let us pray.

I wish all of you a good Sunday and that your journey during this last stage of Advent might go well. Please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and arrivederci.