Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, is preparing to undertake a mission to Ukraine from 27 to 30 October, with the full involvement of both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church.
By Benedetta Capelli
Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, 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.
The Prefect will depart on 27 October and return on the 30th, 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 the hospital, to Russian President Vladimir Putin and subsequently to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Pope’s closeness
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 people.
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 be marked by a spirit of fraternity and will involve both the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Latin-rite Church, which are jointly participating in this mission of solidarity.
Collection for Ukraine
Meanwhile, a special collection for the Ukrainian population, organised by the Apostolic Almonry, is continuing at the Vatican.
At the Governorate courtyard, donations can be delivered from yesterday until Saturday at 1pm local time. Items being collected include winter clothing and warm blankets, sleeping bags, canned food, and household linens such as towels and bed sheets.
This is an opportunity for employees of the Holy See to bring relief to those severely affected by the conflict, particularly in preparation for the winter.
Dicastery Prefect Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín wished to express his gratitude to “all those who wish to take part, 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.”
The collection in the Vatican
