During Wednesday’s general audience, Pope Francis thanked the Polish nation for its generosity in taking in Ukrainian refugees.
Newsroom (02/03/2022 4:52 PM, Gaudium Press) On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis thanked the Polish people for their generosity welcoming Ukrainian refugees.
At the end of the Pontifical audience this March 2, Francis addressed the Poles present in the Paul VI Hall.
He praised the nation as the first country “in supporting Ukraine, opening its borders, its hearts and the doors of its homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war.”
The Pope noted how everyone is generously offering help despite the dramatic situation and added: “I am deeply grateful, and I bless them with all my heart.”
Francis took the opportunity to praise Franciscan Father Marek Viktor, the Ukrainian priest who, at that moment, was translating the General Audience into Polish. His family is currently hidden in a bomb shelter in Ukraine.
The Pontiff invited everyone to accompany with prayers the numerous elderly people who are refugees in bomb shelters in Kyev.
In fact, this Ash Wednesday coincides with the day of fasting for peace decreed by the Pope last February 23.
Earlier the Pontiff posted a short prayer on his twitter account in which he asks God for peace for the world:
“Lord God of peace. Listen to our supplication, hear our plea! Open our eyes and our hearts and give us the courage to say ‘Never again war’. Keep alight in us the flame of hope to make, with patient perseverance, choices of dialogue and reconciliation, so that peace may finally win. Amen.” (FM)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
