(The Pope with the Ukrainian Flag)
Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February, 2022, Pope Francis has felt ‘tormented’ by the sufferings of its civilians, destruction of homes, buildings and worshipping places, massive evacuation of people, turning citizens into migrants, continued bombings and shelling, and more. He asks all of us to pray for peace in ‘martyred Ukraine’. The war is entering a third year.
Meanwhile US targets Russia with 500 new sanctions for its invasion of Ukraine, even as it continues to send weapons of war to Israel where already 30,000 people are killed, 2 million are displaced or thrown out of their homes and thousands are buried under rocks and rubble. US continues to hold the UN to ransom by its using the weapon of veto against the UN Security Council’s resolution for ceasefire in Gaza even as many world leaders have condemned Israel’s war and the US complicity.
The Pope is equally pained at the harsh reality in Palestine and calls for peace and stopping of war.
Suffering of humanity, near home or far, is suffering. We need to feel affected.