On the second day of World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon 2023, Pope Francis received 15 young Ukrainians.
The Vatican Press Office reported that “this morning, before leaving the Nunciature, Pope Francis met a group of 15 young pilgrims from Ukraine, accompanied by Mr. Denys Kolada, advisor for Dialogue with government religious organizations.”
The young people delivered a series of presents to the Pontiff, such as a Ukrainian flag on which they had placed a dedication.
“After listening to their emotional stories, the Pope addressed a few words to the young people, expressing his closeness, ‘painful and prayerful,'” the text adds.
“At the end of the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, the Pope and the young people together prayed the Our Father, with their thoughts directed to martyred Ukraine,” the statement concluded.
On many occasions, Pope Francis has referred to the war in the Ukraine, where he has sent Cardinal Konrad Krakewski, and Pontifical Almoner, on several occasions on aid missions.