VATICAN (SE): “With pain in my heart I join my voice to that of the common people, who implore an end to the war!” said Pope Francis at the end of his Angelus prayer on March 13. Calling to mind Mariupol, the city that bears her name in Ukraine, which is suffering greatly due to the Russian invasion, he said that it had become a city of martyrs, Vatican News reported.
The pope expressed his horror at the barbarous killing of children, innocents and unarmed civilians, and called for an end to the unacceptable armed aggression, before it reduces cities to cemeteries.
In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre
“In the name of God, let the cries of those who suffer be heard and let the bombings and attacks cease! Let there be a real and decisive focus on negotiation, and let the humanitarian corridors be effective and safe. In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre!” Pope Francis implored.
Vatican News reported that he asked for the many refugees “in whom Christ is present,” to be welcomed, and expressed his gratitude for the great network of solidarity that exists.
Asking that all diocesan and religious communities increase their efforts in praying for peace, the pope said, “God is only God of peace, he is not god of war, and those who support violence profane his name.”
Meanwhile, Konrad Cardinal Krajewski, the papal almoner, who had been visiting Ukraine expressed hopes that the sun will rise once again in war-torn Ukraine. He told Vatican News on March 12 that he wished to “thank the people of good will who are offering their homes to refugees, the many volunteers in Ukraine and also the many donors”
“There is great hope for the future but the weapons must be stopped and the sun must finally rise over Ukraine as well,” Cardinal Krajewski said, adding, “I have to say that besides the suffering, there is also great hope and love.”
The cardinal said, that each day of his trip had been very different, noting, “Today, we also woke up with sirens warning us to seek shelter immediately. So on the one hand, perhaps the joy of these encounters prevails; on the other, the sadness of the people who live in constant fear.”
Cardinal Krajewski said, “I have met people with great faith, belonging to all faiths. This too offers hope, a hope for unity.”
