Papal almoner Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín is preparing to undertake a mission to Ukraine this week, with the full involvement of both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church. Source: Vatican News.
The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity is preparing to bring Pope Leo’s closeness to Ukraine, especially to those suffering from the dramatic consequences of the war, which has now been going on for more than four years and eight months.
Archbishop Marín will depart today for the four-day trip, accompanied by the Dicastery’s undersecretary, Professor Massimo Ralli.
The mission seeks to give concrete expression to the Pope’s commitment to peace and follows the telephone calls he made, including one while he was in hospital, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and subsequently to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
These conversations aimed to secure a solution to the difficult humanitarian situation in Oleshky, which is under siege by Russian forces and where the population has been reduced to starvation.
The Pope continues to show concern for the painful situations endured by so many in Ukraine.
For this reason, the papal almoner will travel to offer comfort by visiting several communities in the cities of Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro and Fastiv.
The trip will involve both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church, which are jointly participating in this mission of solidarity.
Meanwhile, Holy See employees took part in a special collection for the people of Ukraine, donating winter clothing and warm blankets, sleeping bags, canned food and household linens such as towels and bed sheets.
Archbishop Marín thanked those who took part in the collection, “conveying through prayer and concrete assistance our closeness to those who suffer” expressing “the hope that the Lord will soon grant the gift of peace”.
FULL STORY
Papal Almoner to travel to Ukraine to bring Pope’s closeness (By Benedetta Capelli, Vatican News)
