A good Jesuit, Francis is applying the maxim "Pray as if everything depended on God, work as if everything depended on you," a Vatican official told La Croix's Loup Besmond de Senneville.

In the Vatican, prayer is also closely linked to the diplomatic efforts undertaken since the beginning of the conflict.

"You don't put diplomacy in one box and spiritual activity in another," said a Holy See diplomat.

"If we are conducting this diplomacy, it is because we are Catholic," he said.

"There are different levels of action," said a Roman Curia official close to the pope, pointing out that these include prayer, diplomacy and solidarity.

"It's as if these dimensions were somehow the floors of the same building.

"When it comes to prayer, the pope is trying to play a different card with a much more spiritual aspect.

"It is a card that only the Vatican can play," said the diplomat.

Friday's act of consecration is linked to the Marian apparitions that are said to have taken place at Fatima in 1917 and is intimately linked to petitions for peace.

"Free us from war, protect our world from the menace of nuclear weapons," Francis prayed.

During the ceremony, Francis pointed out that the consecration is not a "magic formula".

Calling it a "spiritual act," Francis said the consecration is "an act of complete trust".

He said it comes from children who, "amid the tribulation of this cruel and senseless war that threatens our world, turn to their Mother, reposing all their fears and pain in her heart and abandoning themselves to her."

The prayer service is Francis' latest effort to rally prayers for an end to the war.

"We are on the verge of the third world war: for Francis, it is urgent to mobilise all spiritual forces," a close friend of Francis told.

"Francis' gesture may raise some eyebrows. But it is, in fact, profoundly realistic", writes Dominique Greiner, La Croix's senior editor.

Consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary reminds us that the roots of war are always in the human heart: we, therefore, need spiritual remedies to put an end to it.

Greiner goes further, calling the consecration "prophetic"; the defenceless voices of prayer denouncing the deployment of increasingly sophisticated weapons that sow death and desolation.

Francis praying like this Greiner calls a sign of hope, a sign that peace is possible.

On Sunday, the Holy Father followed up his Friday prayer for peace by telling thousands gathered in St Peter's Square that the threat of a global conflict spawned by Russia's invasion of Ukraine should convince everyone that the time has come for humanity to abolish war before it abolishes humanity.

"More than a month has passed since the invasion of Ukraine, since the start of this cruel and senseless war which, like every war, is a defeat for everyone, for all of us," he said to thousands of people in St Peter's Square for his Sunday blessing.

"We must repudiate war, a place of death where fathers and mothers bury their children, where men kill their brothers without even seeing them, where the powerful decide and the poor die," Francis said.

"I beg every politician involved to reflect on this, to make a commitment and, looking at martyred Ukraine, to understand that every day of war worsens the situation for everyone," he said.

"Abolish war now, before war erases humanity from history."

"Enough! Stop! Let the weapons fall silent. Negotiate seriously for peace," he said.

Sources

• La Croix International
• La Croix International
• Associated Press
• Reuters

Brother Vasyl spoke with Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) from a village near Mariupol in south-east Ukraine. Mariupol is an important port, lying only 60 kilometres from the Russian border. However, it is near the areas under separatist control and under heavy fire.

Magda Kaczmarek, Project Manager for Ukraine with ACN, reported, "The leading bishops of the country have made an appeal not to leave the country. That is a difficult decision, above all for priests of the Greek catholic church, many of whom are married. They are afraid not so much for their own lives as for the safety of their children and families".

Project partners from Kyiv and many other towns across the country have reported shootings and explosions. Many have spent the night in presbyteries and bunkers says Kaczmarek. It's unclear what target will be attacked next.

Pauline priest Roman Laba from Bowary, a suburb of the capital Kyiv, said in a video message to ACN that a rocket attack on the city killed seven people and wounded 17. The city has experienced multiple rocket attacks, prompting many people to leave for the west of the country.

"Many people came to the parish looking for help and shelter. So we have set up emergency accommodation in the basement of our monastery and in the unfinished monastery church. Currently we have around 80 people with us including members of the parish and people from surrounding buildings" says Fr Roman. "Please pray for Ukraine" ends the message.

Bishop Jan Sobilo, from Saporischschja in eastern Ukraine, is originally from Poland but rejects any suggestion of getting to safety. "I came here to serve the people. This terrible time of war must also turn itself into a blessing so that goodness and love win."

The Latin rite bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporiyia has spent the past days in a bunker with several families, as well as with his Orthodox counterpart. Amid the constant bombings, Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk sent a message saying "we are really surprised and very grateful for the mobilisation of so many people, not only all over Ukraine but also abroad".

"I wish for this war to end as quickly as possible. But while evil has shown itself to be so strong, this has also exposed a lot of good. In a way, the evil we are experiencing also squeezes the good juice from the grape, and that good juice is our compassion, mutual support and love. It shows our true faces. God bless you all! Thank you!" Bishop Honcharuk said.

The bishop concluded, "my message is short because we are under constant bombardment and I am a little nervous, but we try to act normally. God bless you!"

Sources

Aid to the Church in Need

Aid to the Church in Need

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Vatican is "willing to facilitate dialogue with Russia" and "ready to help" all parties involved to return to the negotiating table.

"There is still time for goodwill, there is still room for negotiation," the cardinal said in an interview published jointly by several Italian newspapers.

In the interview, published on February 28, the secretary of state said that despite the outbreak of conflict "I am convinced that there is still and always room for negotiation. It is never too late".

"Because the only reasonable and constructive way to settle differences is dialogue, as the pope never tires of repeating," he said.

"The Holy See, which in recent years has followed the events in Ukraine constantly, discreetly and with great attention, offering its willingness to facilitate dialogue with Russia, is always ready to help the parties to resume that path".

Russian and Ukrainian representatives arrived for talks on Monday at the Ukraine-Belarus border. However, Ukrainian representatives voiced scepticism that the talks will end the conflict.

But "we must avoid every escalation, halt the conflict and negotiate," Parolin said. He also looked to longer-term implications between East and West. The cardinal commented that "returning to a new cold war" is a "disturbing scenario" and that only "a culture of fraternity" can build stable and just world peace.

The cardinal acknowledged the danger facing Europe and the eerie echoes of the world wars. European intervention in the Ukrainian conflict "would be a catastrophe of massive proportions" he said. Still, the eventuality "cannot be excluded".

"I have seen some of the statements these days that recalled the incidents that preceded and provoked the Second World War" Parolin said. "These references make one shudder".

He added that the different Christian communions can also "play a vital role" in bringing peace.

"Today we see encouraging signs in the appeals of the heads of the Orthodox Churches who show a willingness to leave aside the memory of each other's wounds and to work together for peace" he commented.

Since the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Pope Francis has engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to help end the conflict.

On February 25, in an unprecedented move, he visited the Russian Embassy to the Holy See "to show his concern for the war". Insiders say the visit included a direct phone call to Vladimir Putin.

On the same day, Pope Francis called Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church leader. The pope promised to do everything he could to help end the war. This was the genesis of the idea that the Vatican could mediate between Ukraine and Russia.

Sources

Religion News

Catholic News Agency

Francis later assured a top Ukrainian Greek Catholic leader he would do "everything I can" to help.

Usually, popes receive ambassadors and heads of state in the Vatican. Diplomatic protocol would have called for the Vatican foreign minister to summon the Russian ambassador.

It was a sign of his anger at Moscow's invasion, and his willingness to appeal personally for an end to hostilities, that saw Francis break with protocol and travel the short distance to the Russian Embassy.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed the visit, and officials said they knew of no such previous papal initiative.

"The Holy See press office confirms that the pope went to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See on Via della Conciliazione, clearly to express his concern about the war. He was there for just over a half-hour," Bruni said.

Ambassador Aleksandr Avdeyev told Russian media: "The focus of the conversation was the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. Pope Francis expressed great concern for the situation of the entire population, both in the Donbas (in Eastern Ukraine) and in other areas, and called for the protection of children, the protection of the sick and suffering, the protection of people".

Avdeev also categorically denied to the Rome correspondent of the Russian news agency TASS that Pope Francis had offered to mediate the conflict, an idea reported by the Argentine news agency Télam.

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church welcomed Francis' protocol-bending diplomatic intervention. He said he hoped it would help dialogue prevail over force.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk said the pope later phoned him in Kyiv and assured him, "I will do everything I can".

"In particular, the pope praised the decision to remain with the people and to be at the service of the neediest". This included opening the basement of Resurrection Cathedral in Kyiv as a bomb shelter. It was already being used by dozens of people including families with children.

"The Holy Father assured His Beatitude Sviatoslav of his closeness, support and prayers" the press office said. At the end of the call, the pope gave his blessing to the Ukrainian people.

Ukrainian supporters gather at the Vatican on Sunday for Angelus prayer.

Angelus prayer

On Sunday, as people gathered in St Peter's Square for the midday recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis said his heart was "broken" by the war in Ukraine, and he pleaded again, "Silence the weapons!"

"Many times, we prayed that this path would not be taken," he said, but rather than giving up "we beg God more intensely."

With many of the people in the square holding Ukrainian flags, Pope Francis greeted them the way they traditionally greet each other, "Slava Isusu Chrystu," meaning, "Glory to Jesus Christ."

Francis has also called for dialogue to end the conflict and has urged the faithful to set Ash Wednesday as a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine.

Sources

• Religion News Service
• Catholic News Service
• America Magazine
• Catholic News Service

"The situation is getting worse every day. We live now from hour to hour" said Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk of Kharkiv, in a Thursday press release. He leads one of the dioceses that Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) will support.

On Thursday, ACN committed one million euros (equal to $1.1 million USD) to support the work of the Church in Ukraine. Its support comes after Russia began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with the firing of airstrikes and missiles.

According to ACN, its support will aid the 4,879 priests and religious brothers and 1,350 religious sisters in Ukraine. The group will also provide aid to the four Greek-Catholic exarchates and the two Latin dioceses in Eastern Ukraine.

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During his general audience on February 23, the pope called for people to fast for peace on March 2, Ash Wednesday. He prayed that "the Queen of Peace will preserve the world from the madness of war.

"I have great pain in my heart over the worsening situation in Ukraine" Pope Francis said in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall.

"Despite the diplomatic efforts over the past few weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people throughout the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again, the peace of all is threatened by partisan interests.

"I would like all those who have the political responsibility to make a serious examination of conscience before God. He is the God of peace and not of war. He wants us to be brothers and not enemies.

"I pray that all parties involved will refrain from any action that will cause even more suffering for people, destabilising coexistence among nations and undermining international law".

The pope's comments came after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in a televised address on February 21 that he would recognise the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk as independent entities.

These regions, which are run by Russian-backed separatists, include land currently held by the Ukrainian armed forces.

Western countries responded to the announcement by unveiling sanctions targeting Russian banks and politicians.

Ukraine's charitable Caritas organisation has said it is preparing for a possible humanitarian crisis should there be an invasion.

Speaking to Crux, Vladyslav Shelokov, Communication and Resource Mobilisation Director for Caritas Ukraine, said the deterioration of the situation into war "would exponentially deepen the already existing humanitarian situation.

"It would be a big tragedy not just for people who fled their houses escaping from blasts and shells, but also a huge tragedy for all our country", he said.

"Potentially millions of people" would find themselves in need, Shelokov added.

Should a full war erupt, Caritas would need to step up efforts it has already been making in conflict areas since the 2014 unrest. They have been organising shelter for the displaced and providing water, food, hygiene kits, medical care and support.

Caritas, Shelokov said, has been providing these services for the past eight years "and we are also preparing to respond in the same manner this time, in case of escalation, but we hope and pray that our experience in rapid response in deterioration of war will not be applied into action".

Sources

CBCP News

Crux Now

Francis said it is tragic that humans seem to be "attached to wars".

"Humanity still seems to be groping in the dark," the pope said.

"We have witnessed the massacres of the conflicts in the Middle East, in Syria and Iraq, and those in the Ethiopian region of Tigray. Threatening winds are still blowing in the steppes of Eastern Europe, lighting the fuses and blasts of weapons and leaving the hearts of the poor and the innocent freezing".

At the same time, he said, "the drama of Lebanon continues, leaving many people without bread; young people and adults have lost hope and are leaving those lands".

Pope Francis noted that the Congregation for Eastern Churches was established by Pope Benedict XV, who died 100 years ago. "He denounced the incivility of war as a 'useless slaughter'". But "his warning went unheeded by the leaders of the nations involved in the First World War. Just as St John Paul II's appeal to avert the conflict in Iraq went unheeded.

"At this moment, when there are so many wars everywhere, this appeal both of the popes and of men and women of goodwill is unheard", he said.

"It seems that the greatest prize for peace should be given to wars: a contradiction!", he added.

Francis' comments come against a background of a massive Russian build-up of forces on the border with Ukraine. British PM Boris Johnson says Russia is planning ‘the biggest war in Europe since 1945'.

"I'm afraid to say that the plan we are seeing is for something that could be really the biggest war in Europe since 1945, just in terms of sheer scale", Johnson told the BBC.

"People need to understand the sheer cost in human life that could entail," he said.

Meanwhile, reports have come through that French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed in a call on the need to find a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, Macron's office said on Sunday.

The two countries foreign ministers will meet in the coming days to that effect and will work on a possible summit at the highest level with Russia, Ukraine and allies to establish a new security order in Europe, the Élysée palace said.

Sources

National Catholic Reporter

UCA News

Times of Israel

US News

"We are bound together by a common history and the holy Christian faith," Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki wrote in a February 14 letter to the Orthodox and Catholic bishops of Russia and Ukraine.

"Let us therefore unite the spiritual efforts of the followers of Christ of different denominations in Russia, Ukraine and Poland, together offering fervent prayer to the One who alone is Peace, to avert the spectre of another war in our region," he said.

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Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said there was no need to wait for conditions to be ideal, and the visit could take place even in the current circumstances.

Shevchuk said he had invited the Holy Father to visit Ukraine several times previously. "We are hopeful. Gestures are very important, and visiting Ukraine would be a very strong gesture for all of humanity".

Ukraine is predominately Orthodox, but about 10% of the population belong to the Eastern, or Byzantine-rite, Catholic Church whose followers are in allegiance with Rome.

Russia has massed troops near Ukraine but denies planning an attack.

"There is a consensus in Ukraine, not just among Catholics but also among Orthodox and even non-believers, that Pope Francis is the most important moral authority in the world today," Shevchuk said in Italian.

"The people say that if the pope comes to Ukraine, the war will end. They see the gesture of a papal visit as one of a messenger of peace".

On January 26, Francis led an international day of prayer for peace in Ukraine, calling for dialogue to prevail over partisan interests.

A Rhode Island priest is showing solidarity with the plight of the people of the overwhelmingly Orthodox Christian nation.

"Russia is surrounding Ukraine with troops. What else can I do but pray?" said Father Thomas O'Neill, 79, a senior priest of the Diocese of Providence.

Father O'Neill embarked on a pilgrimage of prayer as he rode his bicycle from Middletown to St Patrick Church in Providence in late January.

He stopped at churches along the way to offer prayers for peace in the region.

He expressed his solidarity with the Ukrainian people, noting it is not just geopolitics at work but also Catholic social teaching.

"It's an issue of democracy; it's an issue of citizenship," he said.

Sources

Reuters

Catholic News Service