Pope Francis thanked a group of young people from Ukraine and Russia for working as “brothers” for peace on 31 May after the general audience. The Holy Father greeted the young people who came to Rome to give a testimony of peace and brotherhood hand in hand with the Italian association “Rondine Citadel of Peace”.
These young people “have decided not to live as enemies, but as brothers. May his example inspire intentions for peace in those who have political responsibilities”, the Holy Father commented during the General Audience.
The Pontiff entrusted to the Virgin Mary all the peoples who suffer the scourge of war and exhorted them to “pray more” for martyred Ukraine, which “suffers so much”.
The Russian and Ukrainian youth were accompanied by the Bishop of Arezzo (Italy), Mons. Andrea Migliavacca.
Since the conflict began in February 2022, Pope Francis has launched numerous calls for peace in Ukraine.
On 26 May, in an interview with Telemundo News, the Holy Father also reflected on the situation of Ukrainian minors forcibly taken to Russia and on the mission headed by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi to try to achieve peace in Ukraine.