The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis is inviting the world’s bishops to join him in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press office, issued the confirmation on 18 March.
“I confirm that Pope Francis has invited the bishops of the whole world and their priests to join him in praying for peace and in consecrating and entrusting Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” he said.
“The occasion, as indicated in recent days, will be the Celebration of Penance, scheduled at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, in St. Peter’s Basilica.”
With the special request of Ukraine’s Latin Rite Catholic bishops, Pope Francis consecrated their homeland and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary following the full-scale Russian invasion on 24 February.
On the same day that the pope carries out the consecration in Rome, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, will recite the act of consecration at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.