Pope Leo XIV welcomed about 4,000 Ukrainian pilgrims to St. Peter’s Basilica. They had come from various countries around the world to cross the Holy Door in celebration of the Jubilee.
The Pope addressed the faithful with a deeply personal message. He spoke to them about the current situation they are experiencing and the time of trial they are enduring.
POPE LEO XIV
The faith of your people is being tested. Many of you, since the war began, have surely asked yourselves: Lord, why all this? Where are you? What must we do to save our families, our homes, and our homeland? Believing does not mean having all the answers, but trusting that God is with us and gives us His grace—that He will have the final word, and life will triumph over death.
The Pope took the opportunity to express his sorrow and solidarity with the victims of the conflict.
POPE LEO XIV
I wish to express my closeness to tormented Ukraine—to the children, the young, the elderly, and especially to the families who mourn their loved ones. I share in your sorrow for the prisoners and victims of this senseless war.
After a round of strong applause, the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church began to sing the Lord’s Prayer in Ukrainian—undoubtedly one of the most moving moments of the event.
[Natural sound – 9:19…]
At the end, Pope Leo XIV approached to contemplate several paintings of the Virgin Mary. He also greeted a group of women who, while speaking with him, could not hold back their tears.
CA
Trans. CRT
