Pope urges Christian leaders to double efforts for peace talks in Ukraine
"Stop the War" poster. Photo: Vatican News
On February 2, 2025, after reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis once again called for the protection of children in conflict zones. He emphasized the importance of restoring peace in a world devastated by wars, Vatican News reports.
The Pope’s appeal came on the eve of an international summit on children's rights being held in the Vatican, focused on the theme "To Love and Protect". The Bishop of Rome stressed that this gathering represents a unique opportunity to draw global attention to the most pressing issues concerning children’s lives.
The Pope once again reminded that war destroys, devastates, takes human toll, and leads to a disregard for life itself, adding that "war is always a defeat."
"Once again, I say 'no' to war," Pope Francis declared, urging world leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts to end armed conflicts. "In this jubilee year, I once again appeal, especially to Christian leaders, to make every effort toward negotiations to bring an end to all ongoing conflicts. Let us pray for peace in suffering Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and North Kivu."
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Pope Francis called on Christians to establish a unified date for celebrating Easter.
Read also
In Podgorica, multi-thousand procession held on city's patron saint day
Thousands of believers walked in a procession through the capital of Montenegro, honoring the memory of Saint Simeon the Myrrh-Streaming.
Persecuted UOC parish in Zeleniv reads Great Canon
A Bukovynian Orthodox community, deprived of its church in 2024, conducts Great Lent services in an adapted facility.
Patriarch Bartholomew warns against unacceptable peace for Ukraine
The head of the Constantinople Church stated that to achieve peace in Ukraine, the leaders of nations must take the "narrow path of justice."
MinCulture opens Lavra's Near Caves only for groups and by reservation
The Ministry of Culture's statement says that "the opening of the Near Caves for believers is not only a long-awaited and outstanding event in church life but also a sign of the indestructibility of our faith".
Metropolitan Onuphry reads Great Canon at Intercession Convent of Kyiv
The Primate of the UOC led the Great Compline with the reading of the second part of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete at the capital's Intercesssion Convent.
OCU “hierarch” selling fake ID documents sent to pre-trial detention center
The Ivano-Frankivsk court has chosen a preventive measure for the OCU "bishop" suspected of issuing fictitious ordination certificates for the rank of deacon to evade mobilization.