Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis has urged Catholics to pray for an end to conflict in Ukraine, which is divided by a ‘war between Christians.’

Speaking at the end of his general audience to pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesdaythis morning, he added ‘let us pray [to] the Lord so that this horrible fratricide violence may cease as soon as possible.’

The Pope called for a resumption of dialogue—‘the only possible path for peace and harmony in that tormented land’—and said he feels great pain at the words ‘victory’ and ‘defeat.’

“They are not the right words,” the Pope added. “The only right word is peace. This is the only right word.

“I think of you, Ukrainian brothers and sisters—this is a war between Christians.”

He added that ‘prayer is our protest before God in times of war.’

The United Nations yesterday warned against an escalation in violence in Ukraine, saying that in the last three weeks, 224 civilians have been killed. The death toll since the conflict began more than a year ago now exceeds 5,000 people.

I think of you, Ukrainian brothers and sisters—this is a war between Christians.

Earlier this morning, Pope Francis had continued his catechesis on the family, saying that ‘a good father teaches his children by giving a daily example of love and integrity.’

“He must first discipline his own heart in order to deal patiently with his children in their growth to maturity,” he said. “In a society like our own, where father figures are often absent, it is essential for fathers to be present and fully engaged in the life of the family. Jesus points to God our Father as the model of all fatherhood.”

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