Pope Francis

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-at-angelus-respond-to-temptation-with-the-word-of-god.html
Pope at Angelus: Respond to temptation with the Word of God
06 March 2022, 12:20

On this first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis warns the faithful to be vigilant against the temptations that “accompany us on the journey of life,” and invites Christians to look to Jesus who “does not make agreements with evil.”
By Lydia O'Kane

During his Angelus address on the first Sunday of Lent, Pope Francis focused on Jesus’ forty days in the desert and his temptation by the devil.

The Pope explained that the desert “symbolises the struggle against the seductions of evil, in order to learn to choose true freedom.”

He went on to say that it is precisely through this “spiritual combat” that Jesus decisively affirms what kind of Messiah he intends to be.
 

Video, with English text, at the link
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-appeals-for-peace-in-ukraine-and-open-humanitarian-corridor.html
Pope appeals for peace in Ukraine and open humanitarian corridors
06 March 2022, 13:04

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250585/pope-francis-sends-cardinals-to-ukraine-where-rivers-of-blood-and-tears-flow
Pope Francis sends cardinals to Ukraine, where ‘rivers of blood and tears flow’
By Katie Yoder
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 6, 2022 / 06:45 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022.index.html
Angelus - Regina Cæli 2022
Angelus, 6 March 2022

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https://www.usccb.org/prayers/popes-monthly-intentions-2022

The Pope's Monthly Intentions for 2022

 
March

A Christian Response to Bioethical Challenges

We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-to-wyd-2023-volunteers-take-courage-and-move-forward.html

Pope to WYD 2023 volunteers: "Take courage and strive ahead!"
07 March 2022, 16:00

Pope Francis sends a video message to young people preparing for World Youth Day 2023 set to take place in Lisbon, Portugal, encouraging them to use all their creativity to ensure it is a fresh, lively and faith-strengthening experience.
By Thaddeus Jones

Pope Francis has sent a video message in Spanish to young people involved in preparations for World Youth Day 2023, which will take place from 1-6 August in Lisbon, Portugal.

The Pope said he looks forward to meeting young people for the celebrations just as they do in gathering together from around the globe for the international celebrations.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250594/brooklyn-auxiliary-bishop-resigns-at-age-76

Brooklyn auxiliary bishop resigns at age 76
By Joe Bukuras
New York City, N.Y., Mar 7, 2022 / 11:13 am

The resignation of Bishop Raymond Francis Chappetto as Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn was accepted Monday by Pope Francis.

“It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve for 51 years as a priest, 10 of those years as a Bishop, for the great Diocese of Brooklyn. I am grateful to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and to Bishops DiMarzio and Brennan, for their support of my ministry,” Bishop Chappetto, said in a Mar. 7 statement from the Diocese of Brooklyn.

Chappetto, 76, was consecrated bishop and appointed as an auxiliary of the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2012. Bishops are required to send a resignation letter to the pope at the age of 75, which Chappetto reached in August 2021.
 

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Video, with English text, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-march-2022-prayer-intention-bioethical-challenges.html
Pope’s March prayer intention: For a Christian response to bioethical challenges
08 March 2022, 16:00

Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of March, and asks the faithful to offer a Christian response to challenges presented by bioethical advances.
By Devin Watkins

“Let us pray that we may give a Christian response to bioethical challenges.”

Pope Francis offered that invitation to Catholics in his prayer intention for the month of March.

He noted that science in the field of bioethics has made great advances in recent years, presenting a host of problems.

Christians, said the Pope, must respond to these challenges and not bury “our heads like an ostrich.”

He called for biotechnology to always be used “based on respect for human dignity.”
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-teachings-of-women-doctors-can-offer-light-and-hope.html

Pope: Teachings of women Doctors of Church offer light and hope to our world
08 March 2022, 19:04

In a message to participants in an international conference on Women Doctors of the Church and Co-Patronesses of the Europe, Pope Francis says the teachings of these saints “are particularly timely for their enduring depth and relevance.”
By Christopher Wells

The example of Sts Teresa of Avila, Catherine of Siena, Thérèse of Lisieux, and Hildegard of Bingen; of Sts Bridget of Sweden and Theresa Benedicta of the Cross “highlights some of the elements that make up that femininity so necessary to the Church and to the world,” Pope Francis said on Tuesday.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/pont-messages/2022.index.html
Pontifical Messages 2022
Message of the Holy Father Francis to the Participants in the International Academic Conference on Women Doctors of the Church and Co-Patronesses of Europe (1 March 2022)

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250602/pope-francis-names-washington-catholic-priest-as-an-auxiliary-bishop-of-seattle

Pope Francis names Washington priest as an auxiliary bishop of Seattle
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 8, 2022 / 05:15 am

Pope Francis on Tuesday named Father Frank Schuster as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle.

Schuster, 50, will join fellow auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo and Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne to serve more than a million Catholics in the western part of Washington state.

The auxiliary bishop-elect fills the place left by former Seattle auxiliary bishop Daniel Mueggenborg, who was appointed bishop of Reno, Nevada, in July 2021.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2022-03/shevchuk-thanks-pope-francis-for-words-at-the-angelus.html

Major Archbishop Shevchuk thanks Pope for Angelus appeal for Ukraine
08 March 2022, 16:32

In his daily message to the faithful from Kyiv, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church expresses gratitude to Pope Francis for his strong words at the Angelus on Sunday condemning the war in Ukraine and praying for all those supporting Ukraine in this moment.
By Lisa Zengarini

The Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has expressed his gratitude to Pope Francis for once again strongly condemning the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During the Angelus Prayer on Sunday, 6 March, the Pope refuted President Vladimir Putin’s claim that the aggression waged against Ukraine is only a military operation, saying it is, in fact, a bloody war “which creates death and destruction” and calling for the immediate “return to respecting international law”.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-03/cardinal-parolin-calls-minister-lavrov-asking-for-halt-to-fight.html

Cardinal Parolin calls for end to fighting in call with Russia's Lavrov
08 March 2022, 15:18

The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke by phone on Tuesday. Cardinal Parolin reiterated the Pope's appeal for peace and offered the Holy See's availability for any type of mediation.
By Vatican News staff reporter

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, confirmed Cardinal Parolin's phone conversation with Sergei Lavrov.

"The Cardinal conveyed Pope Francis' deep concern for the ongoing war in Ukraine and reaffirmed what the Pope said last Sunday at the Angelus. In particular, he reiterated his call for an end to armed attacks, for humanitarian corridors to be secured for civilians and rescuers, and for negotiation instead of armed violence."

Concluding the phone call, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed the Holy See's willingness "to do everything possible to put itself at the service of this peace."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250605/cardinal-parolin-urges-end-to-attacks-in-call-with-russia-s-foreign-minister
Cardinal Parolin urges end to attacks in call with Russia’s foreign minister
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 8, 2022 / 08:00 am

https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/03/top-official-reiterates-vaticans-willingness-to-mediate-ukraine-war
Top official reiterates Vatican’s willingness to mediate Ukraine war
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 8, 2022

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-03/saint-peter-s-basilica-preparing-for-2025-jubilee.html

Saint Peter's Basilica preparing for 2025 Jubilee Year
08 March 2022, 13:14

Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of Saint Peter's Basilica, details the preparations underway in the Basilica and reorganization of its offices in view of the 2025 Jubilee. Plans include simplified access for those coming to pray and receive the sacraments, and tourists accompanied by guides.
By Vatican News

The Jubilee year 2025 is approaching and Saint Peter's Basilica is preparing for this great celebration of faith. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Vatican Basilica, tells us all about the preparations and reorganization underway in this interview with the Vatican media.

Your Eminence, on 11 February Pope Francis described the Jubilee year as a "gift of grace" to be experienced through "pilgrimages, indulgences, living testimonies of faith." In his letter to Archbishop Fisichella, the Pope invites the Christian community to live the Holy Year "in all its pastoral significance." In what way do you feel involved?

Saint Peter's Basilica also feels called to welcome the Pope’s invitation to prepare for the Holy Year in these three years leading up to it by continuing in the continuity and innovation of its mission. In particular, the Basilica is preparing for the great Jubilee of 2025 under the sign of the Apostle Peter who, in the first of the two Letters attributed to him, addresses the believers of Asia Minor, inviting them above all to rediscover the spiritual basis for hope: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3). Saint Peter's Basilica wishes to continue to offer spiritual food for 'pilgrims of hope,' as Pope Francis calls them, a place in which to experience the reconciliation that flows from the encounter with Jesus and to raise up a unanimous prayer that His reign of justice and peace may spread throughout the world. At the same time, the Basilica also aims to be a place to meet and reflect on the themes of fraternity and the environment chosen by the Holy Father in order to help the world that has been harmed from the pandemic and ongoing wars arrive to a 'rebirth of which we all feel the urgency'.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/shevchuk-pope-francis-wants-to-be-present-through-his-envoy.html

Shevchuk: Pope Francis wants to be present through Cardinal Krajewski
09 March 2022, 13:02

Pope Francis’ envoy to Ukraine, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, meets with leaders of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and of the Latin Church in Ukraine, as he begins his mission to the war-torn nation.
By Christopher Wells

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, began his mission as Pope Francis’ envoy to Ukraine on Tuesday.

He met in Lviv with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC); and with the Latin Metropolitan of Lviv, Archbishop Mieczysław Mokrzycki.

Phone call with the Pope
The three Catholic leaders spoke by phone with Pope Francis, updating the Holy Father on the situation in Ukraine, according to a statement from the Secretariat of the Major Archbishop.

During the phone conversation, Cardinal Krajewski shared his first impressions from the mission, detailing his experience entering into the country from Poland.

The Holy Father was also updated on plans for the Cardinal’s visit, which is open-ended. Wednesday’s statement indicated that Pope Francis has instructed Cardinal Krajewski “to remain in Ukraine as long as necessary to provide support to the Ukrainian people on behalf of the Apostolic See in these dramatic moments of its history.”

“Pope Francis wants to be present in person through his envoy. This is the purpose of his visit.” - Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250617/catholic-bishop-in-puerto-rico-says-his-removal-by-pope-francis-is-totally-unjust

Catholic bishop in Puerto Rico says his removal by Pope Francis is ‘totally unjust’
By CNA Staff
Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Mar 9, 2022 / 06:05 am

A Catholic bishop in Puerto Rico described his removal from office by Pope Francis on Wednesday as “totally unjust.”

Bishop Daniel Fernández Torres, who has led the Diocese of Arecibo since 2010, said he had been asked to resign because he “had not been obedient to the pope nor had I been in sufficient communion with my brother bishops of Puerto Rico.”

The Holy See press office announced on March 9 that the pope had relieved the 57-year-old bishop of the pastoral care of his diocese. The Vatican did not give a reason for the pope’s decision.

Pope Francis appointed Bishop Álvaro Corrada del Río, S.J., bishop emeritus of Mayagüez, as apostolic administrator of the diocese in the north of the island of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States.
 

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https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/03/top-vatican-official-casts-doubt-on-second-francis-kirill-meeting

Top Vatican official casts doubt on second Francis-Kirill meeting
By Elise Ann Allen
Mar 10, 2022

ROME – In new comments to Italian media, the Vatican’s Secretary of State has said recent remarks by Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill will only make tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war worse, and said a second meeting with the pope is unlikely.

Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin also spoke of his recent phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, saying the conversation proved to be unhelpful.

Speaking to Italian media at the close of an event called Sui Tetti, or “On the Rooftops,” March 9, Parolin said “Kirill’s words do not favor and do not promote an understanding.”

“On the contrary, they risk aggravating spirits even more and going towards an escalation and not resolving the crisis in a peaceful way,” he said.

In recent days, Kirill, who until recently has refrained from making any direct remarks in favor of or against Russia’s war with Ukraine, has delivered two sermons in which he departed from a neutral stance and conveyed a clear pro-Russia position in line with that of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-ecumenism-sails-on-the-open-sea-of-all-humanity.html

Pope: ‘Ecumenism sails on the open sea of all humanity’
11 March 2022, 14:50

In a preface to a new book by Presbyterian minister Marcelo Figueroa, Pope Francis praises his friend’s vision of ecumenism.
By Vatican News staff reporter

“It is with great joy that I receive this literary work,” writes Pope Francis, “which at first glance looks more like a book on dialogue between religions, but in which one discovers, as one goes through it, almost an ecumenical pilgrimage: genuine, personal, and, above all, spiritual.”

The Holy Father offered his enthusiastic endorsement to the work of his friend Marcelo Figuero, a Presbyterian minister who was entrusted with bringing to life an Argentinian edition of the papal newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano. The new book – entitled Reconciled Diversity: A Protestant in the Pope’s Newspaper – is collection of articles, contributions, and interviews published by Figueroa in L’Osservatore since 2016, covering various topics that have as their common thread the ecumenical journey between the various Christian confessions.

“I always read Marcelo’s articles with attention,” the Pope says in his preface, “and and I will continue to read them because they help me to look at the ecumenical path I have travelled and the one still to be travelled, with the eyes of a brother who tries to reread and interpret my pontificate from an ecumenical perspective.”
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250643/ukraine-war-papal-almoner-to-head-east-as-far-as-possible-on-ukraine-trip

Papal almoner to head east ‘as far as possible’ on Ukraine trip
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 11, 2022 / 10:10 am

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski said on Thursday that he would leave Lviv, western Ukraine, and go east as far as possible.

The cardinal, who is in charge of the pope’s charitable efforts as papal almoner, is in Ukraine this week as an envoy of Pope Francis.

After a stop in his native Poland, Krajewski journeyed on to Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, where he paid for fuel and helped humanitarian aid be loaded onto trucks to be transported throughout the country.

The 58-year-old Krajewski told journalists on March 10 that he would leave Lviv and go “as far as possible” east, Vatican News reported, toward Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital city.

On Thursday morning, the cardinal took part in an ecumenical prayer service for peace at a Lviv cathedral.

“Spiritually united with us is Pope Francis, who conveys to us the expression of his solidarity and assures us of his unceasing prayer for peace in Ukraine,” he said.

“Faith can move mountains, let alone a stupid war,” he told Zhyve.tv, a project of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-opens-vatican-judicial-year-noting-critical-time-humanity.html

Pope opens Vatican judicial year: 'Now is a critical time for humanity'
12 March 2022, 11:45

Pope Francis opens the 93rd Judicial Year of the Tribunal of the Vatican City State and pays tribute to the judges and magistrates for their dedication and service in the administration of justice, especially at this critical moment for humanity.
By Vatican News staff reporter

Reflecting on the opening of the Vatican Tribunal's judicial year, Pope Francis focused first on the synodal process underway in the Church, which also involves the judicial realm, as all the participants in a juridical process journey together in arriving at the truth.

As in the synodal process, judicial activity requires listening to each other, and magistrates are called to listen carefully to the arguments advanced by various sides without prejudice or preconceived notions affecting their viewpoint.

This requires time and patience, noted the Pope, and this openness to listening to others will help them to arrive at a carefully considered and shared judgement.
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250649/on-eve-of-becciu-hearing-pope-francis-tells-vatican-judges-listen-to-everyone
On eve of Becciu hearing, Pope Francis tells Vatican judges: ‘Listen to everyone’
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 12, 2022 / 08:00 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2022/march.index.html
Speeches 2022 March
Inauguration of the Judicial Year of Vatican City State Tribunal (12 March 2022)

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Video, with English commentary, at the link

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-attends-mass-for-anniversary-of-canonizations.html
Pope at Mass for canonization anniversary: 'Prayer changes the world'
12 March 2022, 18:47

Pope Francis attends Mass at the Jesuit Church of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, known as "the Gesù," in Rome, on the 400th anniversary of the canonizations of St Ignatius of Loyola, St Francis Xavier, St Teresa of Jesus, St Isidore the Farmer, and St Philip Neri
By Christopher Wells

Pope Francis on Saturday travelled to the heart of Rome on Saturday, to the Gesù, the mother church of the Jesuit order in Rome, where he attended Mass and preached on the 400th anniversary of the canonization of the Society’s founder.

St Ignatius of Loyola was canonized on March 12, 1622, along with fellow Jesuit Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, St Isidore the Farmer, and St Philip Neri, known as the Second Apostle of Rome.

The Holy Father gave the homily during Mass for the Second Sunday in Lent, reflecting on the Gospel account of the Transfiguration of the Lord. He focused on four actions of Jesus in the Gospel: Jesus “took” His disciples with Him; He “went up” the mountain; He prayed; and He “remained.”
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250651/pope-francis-the-saints-show-us-how-to-live-in-communion-with-the-church
Pope Francis: The saints show us how to live in communion with the Church
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome, Italy, Mar 12, 2022 / 11:00 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022.index.html
Homilies 2022
Holy Mass on the 400th anniversary of the Canonization of St. Ignatius of Loyola (12 March 2022)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-03/holy-see-says-incomprehensible-nicaragua-s-withdrawal-nuncio.html

Holy See calls Nicaragua's withdrawal of approval of Nuncio 'incomprehensible'
12 March 2022, 16:07

A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office notes how the Nuncio to Nicaragua, Archbishop Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, carried out his mission there "with deep dedication for the good of the Church and the Nicaraguan people."
Vatican News

The Holy See expressed great surprise and regret at the communication received from the government of Nicaragua, which has decided to withdraw the approval of Archbishop Waldemar Stanislaw Sommertag, Apostolic Nuncio in Managua since 2018, that requires him to leave the country immediately after the notification of the measure. A statement released by the Holy See Press Office notes that "Such a measure seems incomprehensible because in the course of his mission Archbishop Sommertag worked with profound dedication for the good of the Church and the Nicaraguan people, especially the most vulnerable, always seeking to foster good relations between the Apostolic See and the authorities of Nicaragua."
 
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250648/nicaragua-government-expels-vatican-diplomat
Nicaragua government expels Vatican diplomat
By Hannah Brockhaus
Vatican City, Mar 12, 2022 / 05:10 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2022-03/pope-francis-pontificate-anniversary-peace-hope-iraq-ukraine.html

From rubble of Mosul to the rubble in Ukraine, Pope's voice of peace and hope
12 March 2022, 15:00
Editorial

As Pope Francis enters the tenth year of his pontificate, we recall the words he uttered one year ago in Iraq which appear dramatically relevant today.
By Andrea Tornielli

Pope Francis is beginning the tenth year of his pontificate. The anniversary is dramatically marked by the horror of war in the heart of Europe.

It is striking to listen back to some of the words spoken by the Pope a year ago, during the most important and courageous apostolic journey of his pontificate: the one to Iraq. This was a visit he forcefully desired, despite the risks and the obstacles deriving from the enormous security concerns such a journey posed, especially for those participating in the celebrations and meetings.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2022-03/ukraine-war-parolin-interview-tornielli.html

Cardinal Parolin: Enough havoc of war, never too late for an agreement
12 March 2022, 12:00

The Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin says in an interview: "We are falling back into the past instead of daring to take steps towards a different future, a future of peaceful coexistence. Unfortunately, it must be acknowledged that we have not been able to build, after the fall of the Berlin Wall". The Holy See, he repeats, is available for any kind of mediation.
By Andrea Tornielli

"War is madness, it must be stopped."

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin spoke to Vatican Media about the escalation of war in the heart of Europe. "We would have to possess a heart of stone in order to remain impassive and allow this havoc to continue, as rivers of blood and tears continue to flow."

Q: Your Eminence, first of all, can you summarize the position of the Holy See on the current conflict?

The position of the Holy See is what the Pope has repeated several times: a strong ‘no’ to war; war is madness, it must be stopped. We ask, appealing to the consciences of all that the fighting cease immediately. We have before our eyes the terrible images coming from Ukraine. The victims among the civilians, women, elderly people, and defenseless children who have paid with their lives for the folly of war. The anguish grows as we see cities with gutted houses, no electricity, sub-zero temperatures, lack of food and medicine, as well as millions of refugees, mostly women and children, fleeing the bombs. Over the last few days, I have come across a group of them, who have arrived in Italy from various parts of Ukraine: blank stares, faces without smiles, endless sadness... What is the fault of those young mothers and their children? We would have to possess a heart of stone in order to remain impassive and allow this havoc to continue, as rivers of blood and tears continue to flow. War is a barbarity! It is significant that at the Angelus on Sunday, 27 February, the Holy Father referred to Article 11 of the Italian Constitution which states: "Italy repudiates war as an instrument of offence against the freedom of other peoples and as a means of settling international disputes." Those who wage war rely on the diabolical logic of weapons and forget humanity: how many examples do we have of the truth of these words! We often forget them, sometimes because they concern wars that we consider to be "far away", but which in reality, in our interconnected world, are never really far away.