The Pope: Ukraine was dragged into a "cruel and senseless" conflict

On Feb. 17, making his annual Easter "Urbi et Orbi" address, Pope Francis said the world was celebrating the "Easter of war", adding that Ukraine was dragged into a "cruel and senseless" conflict, reuters.com reported.

The pontiff dedicated much of the message to Ukraine, comparing the shock of another war in Europe to the shock of the apostles when the gospel says they saw the risen Jesus.

“Our eyes, too, are incredulous on this ‘Easter of war’. We have seen all too much blood, all too much violence. Our hearts, too, have been filled with fear and anguish, as so many of our brothers and sisters have had to lock themselves away in order to be safe from bombing,” said Pope Francis.

Earlier, the Pope urged to celebrate the Catholic Easter by establishing truce in Ukraine, adding that the Vatican is ready to do everything to achieve peace in Ukraine. It previously sent two cardinals to the region specifically for this.

As the UOJ reported earlier, a religious procession in Rome with the participation of a Ukrainian and a Russian was criticized in Ukraine.

Read also

EU officials discuss UOC persecution with experts in Brussels

Two expert–level discussions on the state of religious freedom in Ukraine were held in the EU.

WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples

WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.

In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure

Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.

UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination

The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.

UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine

The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.

Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery

For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.