Pope Francis has made two significant interventions in respect of the war that has broken out in the Ukraine, following the incursion of Russian forces there.
On Friday (25th February), he visited the Russian embassy to the Holy See on the Via della Conciliazione to express his concerns over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Whilst this is being reported as an unprecedented move in terms of diplomatic protocol, in geographical terms it is rather like popping round the corner. Reuters report of the Pope's visit is here: Departing from protocol, pope goes to Russian embassy over Ukraine. The Vatican News reporting is here: War in Ukraine: Pope Francis goes to Russian embassy to express concern. The Reuters report also indicates that, after visiting the Russian embassy, Pope Francis telephoned the Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. A report of the phone call is at Catholic News Service: Pope phones Ukrainian archbishop, offers encouragement, prayers.
Archbishop Shevchuk’s office said that, during the phone call, Pope Francis asked him about the situation in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine on the second full day of the Russian attack. According to multiple news reports, Russian troops were advancing on the capital, Kyiv, where the archbishop has remained.
Pope Francis asked about the bishops and priests in the areas of heaviest fighting, the Ukrainian Catholic press office said. And he thanked the church for its closeness to the people.
“In particular, the pope praised the decision to remain with the people and to be at the service of the neediest,” including by opening the basement of Resurrection Cathedral in Kyiv as a bomb shelter, which already was being used by dozens of people, including families with children.
Already, at the end of the General Audience on the day before the Russian attack on Ukraine began, Pope Francis had made an appeal for peace, and invited all to join in a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine and in the world on 2nd March, which is kept in the Christian calendar as Ash Wednesday:
My heart aches greatly at the worsening situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of the last few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people all over the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests. I would like to appeal to those with political responsibility to examine their consciences seriously before God, who is the God of peace and not of war; who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. I pray that all the parties involved refrain from any action that would cause even more suffering to the people, destabilising coexistence between nations and bringing international law into disrepute.
And now I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers alike. Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war.
This appeal was recalled by the Secretary of State to the Holy See in the statement issued after the Russian action began:
This appeal has taken on dramatic urgency following the beginning of Russian military operations in Ukrainian territory. The tragic scenarios that everyone feared are becoming a reality. Yet there is still time for goodwill, there is still room for negotiation, there is still a place for the exercise of a wisdom that can prevent the predominance of partisan interest, safeguard the legitimate aspirations of everyone, and spare the world from the folly and horrors of war.
As believers, we do not lose hope for a glimmer of conscience on the part of those who hold in their hands the fortunes of the world. And we continue to pray and fast — as we shall do this coming Ash Wednesday — for peace in Ukraine and in the entire world.
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