During these twelve months of war, Pope Francis has consistently asked people not to forget the suffering Ukrainian people. “The whole world is at war; it is destroying itself. Let us stop before it is too late!” This heartfelt cry from Pope Francis, which shakes consciences and calls for a strong commitment to peace, was taken up by the Presidency of the Italian Bishops' Conference, which, in a statement issued on February 21, invites all “communities to pray for peace” next March 10.
This new appeal comes “one year after the Russian invasion of an independent state, Ukraine,” in order “to repeat once again our firm ‘no’ to all forms of violence and oppression, our ‘never again’ to war.” For this reason, the presidency of the Italian Bishops' Conference invites “ecclesial communities to join in prayer to implore the gift of peace in the world.”
Today, March 10, a Holy Mass for the victims of the war in Ukraine
Joining the initiative of the Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe, the presidency of the Italian Bishops' Conference invites everyone “to celebrate a Holy Mass on Friday, March 10, for the victims of the war in Ukraine and for peace in this country. It will be an opportunity to renew our closeness to the population and to entrust our desire for peace to the Lord - reads the statement issued by the Italian Bishops' Conference -. Asking for a conversion of hearts, so that a renewed culture of peace may be built, will be how we bring into the world those shoots of Easter for which we are preparing.”
«The toll of deaths, injuries, refugees and displaced people, destruction, and economic and social damage speaks for itself» (Pope Francis, General Audience, February 22, 2023). And Pope Francis, once again, makes us reflect: «He is the God of peace. Let us remain close to the suffering Ukrainian people, who continue to suffer. And let us ask ourselves: has everything possible been done to stop the war?». What are we willing to do to achieve peace? Today's Mass is a supplication that must involve us all; it must move us to come together, in communion and fraternity, to send a message to those whose hearts have been blinded by hatred, calculations and power.
True peace
Unfortunately, war is a reality that has never stopped striking defenseless and unarmed populations, «spilling blood and impoverishing the earth». The CEI statement also says: «In Ukraine, as in so many (too many) corners of the earth, the deafening sound of weapons resounds, suffocating hopes for development and a better future, causing suffering, death and destruction and denying populations any possibility of a future».
Therefore, at this dramatic moment, «on the one hand, urgent diplomatic action is needed to break the sterile logic of confrontation; on the other, all believers must feel involved in building a peaceful, just and supportive world. The season of Lent reminds us of the value of prayer, fasting and charity, the only true weapons capable of transforming people's hearts and making us “brothers and sisters all”».
And so let us raise the cry for peace to heaven by taking part in the Mass that will be celebrated in all the Italian dioceses, and with one heart let us entrust the suffering Ukrainian people to the Lord.
