Pope on anniversary of war Ukraine: Painful and shameful for all humanity

War-ravaged cities in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo: vaticannews

In his Angelus address to the faithful, published by the Vatican press office on February 23, 2025, Pope Francis mentioned the anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine, vaticannews reports.

Pope Francis noted that February 24 marks the third anniversary of the full-scale war against Ukraine – "a painful and shameful occasion for all humanity."

The Pontiff assured his spiritual closeness and renewed solidarity the "martyred Ukrainian people" and also invited to remember the "victims of all armed conflicts and to pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel, and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, in Kivu, and in Sudan."

Having been hospitalized on February 14 at Rome’s Agostino Gemelli Hospital, the head of the Roman Catholic Church did not lead the traditional Angelus prayer but instead sent a written greeting to pilgrims. In it, he also expressed gratitude to the hospital staff and asked everyone to pray for him.

As previously reported, the Vatican has introduced special measures ("plans for his funeral are now believed to be under way") due to the Pontiff's critical health condition.

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