Bishops, priests and faithful Catholics are invited Friday to pray for peace in Ukraine at the invitation of Pope Francis, an approach declined in several dioceses in France, in particular at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Paris, it was indicated. in the diocese.
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At 6:30 p.m., Bishop Georges Pontier, apostolic administrator of the diocese of Paris, will preside "
a mass for peace in Ukraine at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Montmartre on the feast of the Annunciation
", a mass "
in union with Pope Francis
“, specifies the diocese of Paris in a press release.
Will be present: the Apostolic Nuncio to France Celestino Migliore, as well as Father Ihor Rantsya, rector of the Saint-Vladimir-le-Grand Cathedral in Paris (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church).
Other prayer times are scheduled in the regions, such as in Bayeux (Calvados) in Notre-Dame cathedral, in Marseille, in La Major cathedral, in Rennes in Saint-Pierre cathedral, etc.
Friday at 5 p.m., Pope Francis will preside over a celebration at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, during which he must "
consecrate
(entrust) Ukraine and Russia to the Virgin Mary.
Symbol of the importance given to this ceremony by the Holy See, the latter broadcast the text of the prayer in 35 languages, a rare event in the Vatican.
In a letter made public on Wednesday, the Argentine sovereign pontiff called on priests, bishops and the faithful of the whole world to join in this process.
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“
Almost a month has passed since the start of the war in Ukraine, which is causing more suffering every day for this martyred population, and which also threatens world peace.
The Church, in this dark hour, is strongly called to intercede with the Prince of Peace and to be close to those who pay in their flesh the consequences of the conflict
,” he wrote.
In recent weeks, the Pope - who has spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but also with the Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow Kirill - has multiplied calls for peace in Ukraine, denouncing a "
massacre
" in this country where "
flow of rivers of tears and blood
”.