August 28 | 
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Pope calls for peace in the Ukraine
The Holy Father has again called for peace in Ukraine as the nation faces continued conflict in the war that has claimed thousands of lives since early last year.
“With concern, I am following the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has again worsened in recent weeks,” the Pope said during his weekly Angelus address last Sunday.
“I renew my appeal that the commitments undertaken to bring about peace may be respected, and with the help of organisations and persons of good will, they might respond to the humanitarian emergency of the country.”
The Pope made these remarks from the Papal palace to pilgrims and visitors gathered in St Peter’s Square, one day ahead of Ukraine’s national Independence Day. The Holy Father’s words come amid ongoing cease-fire violations, with one person having been killed and four others injured in clashes in Donetsk last weekend.
Ukraine is also preparing for a parliamentary vote on August 31 to amend their constitution and grant special status to regions in eastern Ukraine with pro-Russian leanings, the agency reported. Beginning with street protests in November 2013, the conflict escalated early the following year, in events which included the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych and the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Russia. More than 6500 people, including civilians, have been killed in the fighting between Ukraine’s military and pro-Russian separatists.
“May the Lord grant peace to Ukraine, which prepares to celebrate its national holiday tomorrow!” the Pope said. “May the Virgin Mary intercede for us!”
—This story ran in full in the Aug 28 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.
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