Among the worshippers who gathered with the Pope in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome were numerous representatives of the Ukrainian community of Rome, including those who were forced to join it during the last months of the aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine. A rosary prayer for peace was lifted.
"I thank the Holy Father from the bottom of my heart for his empathy with the Ukrainian people, who are suffering from unfair aggression. Thank you for the constant prayer that Pope Francis embraces all of us. Enduring his own infirmities, moving in a wheelchair, he wished to say this prayer himself," His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the UGCC, said in a comment.
He also thanked all the Ukrainians who came to the Basilica on this day to be immediate participants of the prayer. He also thanked those who prayed online, in particular through retransmission on Zhyve (Live) TV. In this prayer, which was broadcast as part of the Daily Initiative "Rosary Unites", more than 18 thousand worshippers came together in real life.
With the help of means of communication with the Basilica in Rome, sanctuaries from all over the world were also connected, including the Zarvanytsya Marian Spiritual Center, Ternopil region.