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Pope greets Ukrainian wives and mothers, appeals for peace

Ahead of the upcoming Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Francis prays to the Patrons of Rome for peace in war-torn Ukraine, the Holy Land, and Myanmar.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

In his latest gesture of closeness to suffering populations as wars plague the world, Pope Francis greeted Ukrainian wives and mothers after today’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning.

The Holy Father made an appeal for peace amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and many others across the world, toward the conclusion of the Audience, as he recalled the upcoming Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, observed annually on 29 June.

“On Saturday,” Pope Francis said, “we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Patrons of Rome.”

“To their intercession,” he continued, “let us entrust the peoples suffering from war: the tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, and Myanmar, so that they may soon find peace.” 

Moreover, Pope Francis called on all faithful to imitate the Saints’ example as “missionary disciples” who “witness the beauty of the Gospel everywhere.”

War in Ukraine

War in Ukraine

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