Pope Invokes “Peace” for Ukraine
“I continue to invoke from the Lord peace for the dear Ukrainian land,” assured Pope Francis at the General Audience of May 24, 2017.
In the course of the weekly meeting, after the greetings in several languages, the Pontiff addressed the participants in the International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes (May 19-21), who were present in uniform in St. Peter’s Square.
“Ukrainian pilgrims, Christ is Risen!” the Pope said to them in Ukrainian, unleashing applause. He greeted the Ukrainian pilgrims who participated in international military pilgrimage to Lourdes. I keep praying onto Lord God for peace to the dear Ukrainian land,” Pope Francis said these words at the end of the general audience, held on May 24, 2017 in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
As reported, on May 19-21, 2017 already the 59th International Military Pilgrimage was held at the Marian Pilgrimage Center of Lourdes in France. This year's theme was “Grant us peace.” Since 1996, the Ukrainian delegation has participated on a regular basis in these pilgrimages, after its completion its members visit Rome and the Vatican. The program of these visits always provided for participation in the general audience.
The soldiers offered to the Pope the Ukrainian flag as a gift.
Representatives of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the General Staff, members of ATO officers, cadets, servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine, as well as chaplains visited Lourdes with the guidance of Bishop Mikhail (Koltun), Chairman of the UGCC Department on Pastoral Care of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Wounded military servicemen were also members of the delegation.
