Pope Francis asks to stop the war in the Gaza Strip and not forget Ukraine

VATICAN CITY.— This Wednesday, during the general audiencehe Pope Francisco saved a minute of silence for all the young soldiers killed “in the madness of war” and especially remembered Oleksandrea 23-year-old Ukrainian fighter killed in Donetsk, Ukraine.

“Let us not forget Ukraine, so martyred and with so many dead,” said the holy father, while showing a small rosary and a Bible covered with military camouflage with which the young Ukrainian used to pray during the conflict.

The bishop of Rome also read a psalm that this soldier had highlighted in his copy of the New Testament: “From the depths, I cry to you, O Lord. Listen to my voice,” he said with emotion.

After reading this verse he asked those attending the audience in the St. Peter’s Square to observe a minute of silence for this and all the young soldiers killed “in this madness of war.”

“War always destroys”said the pontiff, who spoke for the first time regarding this young soldier in the audience on March 13, when he revealed that he had received these belongings given to him by the Argentine nun Sister Lucía Caram and Father Ángel, from Messengers of Peace.

Pope Francis appeared in good shape, arriving at the general audience greeting the thousands of faithful present in St. Peter’s Square Credit: EFE/EPA/ETTORE FERRARI

The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church also referred to the situation in the Gaza Strip and renewed his call for “an immediate ceasefire”while in the catechesis he assured that “without justice there is no peace” and “conflicts are generated” because “the law of the strong over the weak is enshrined,” which “is not fair.”

Pope Francis appeared in good shape, he arrived greeting the thousands of faithful present in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile and was then able to walk to his seat, without using the wheelchair he usually uses due to his knee problems.

In addition, he read the catechism with a clear voice following several weeks without doing so due to a respiratory condition that made him tire quickly when he spoke, which required that a collaborator of his do it in his place.

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