Pope Francis prays for Ukrainians huddled in bomb shelters on Ash Wednesday
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Speaking to over 1 billion Catholics around the world, Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday declared a day of fasting and prayer for the people of Ukraine. Breaking a tradition of neutrality, Francis condemned the attacks by the Russian military. He went further off script to honor Father Marek Viktor Gongalo, the Polish-Ukrainian translator on the stage with him, who has family stuck in Ukraine. "His parents are now in underground shelters to protect themselves from the bombs in a place near Kyiv," Francis said. "By accompanying him, we accompany all the people who are suffering from the bombings, including his elderly parents and so many other elderly who are in underground shelters defending themselves.” He added: “Let us remember these people in our hearts."
Kyiv residents have been sheltering in underground bunkers and metro stations since Russia invaded their country last Thursday. More than 500,000 Ukrainians have fled the fighting over the past six days.
Francis went on to thank Poland for taking in a bulk of the refugees. “You were the first to support Ukraine, opening your borders, your hearts and the doors of your homes to Ukrainians fleeing war,” he said. “You are generously offering them everything they need to live in dignity, despite the drama of the moment. I am deeply grateful to you, and I bless you from my heart.” He called for humanitarian corridors to help refugees leave safely and said that those who create war should not think God is on their side.
Following the pope’s words on Wednesday morning, Ukraine asked him to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin about allowing humanitarian corridors to assist civilians affected by the war. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk told local TV, “I hope the conversation will take place.”
The pope has been vocal about his condemnation of the war and last Friday broke diplomatic protocol when he visited the Russian Embassy in Rome to convey his concerns over the conflict. Russian Ambassador Alexander Avdeev told a state-run media outlet that the pope had “wanted to personally ask about the situation in Donbas and Ukraine.” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni did not specify what Francis said to the Kremlin official but said, “He went to express his concern over the war.”
The Vatican called for an immediate stop to the invasion on Monday and said it was ready to facilitate dialogue between the two countries. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin told Italian newspapers that “despite the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine,” he was “convinced there is always room for negotiations.” There are between 4 million and 5 million Catholics in Ukraine, making up about 9 percent of the population.
