Pope starts and ends the day in Ukrainian

Photo is property of Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See Facebook page/Vatican City/

This was stated by Pope on January 28 in his Word to the Ukrainian community in Rome at the Ukrainian religious complex “Saint Sofia” in Rome. Full text of the Word leads the Vatican Radio.

“And I want to tell you one secret: at night, before going to bed and in the morning when I wake up I always meet with Ukrainians. But why? Because when I saw your Major archbishop in Argentina I thought that he was an altar server from Ukrainian church, but he was a bishop! He worked productively in Argentina and we met quite often. Then he went to the Synod one day and returned as a Major archbishop to say goodbye. When he said goodbye he gave me an icon of Virgin Mary as small as half of paper piece. In Buenos Aires I kept it in my room and greeted it every evening and every morning. It became a habit. And then came my turn to go to Rome and not to return … He could have returned, but I – couldn’t… And I asked for three breviary books that I hadn’t taken and other important things among of them – this icon of the Mother of God of “Tenderness”. And every evening before going to bed I kiss this icon which was given to me by your Major archbishop and I also greet it in the morning. So I can say that I start and end the day in Ukrainian,” – said Pope Francis.

He also said that he understood Ukrainian anxieties due to the scars of war and economic difficulties. Pope Francis assured that he begs the Prince of Peace to silence the weapons during prayers and when he makes Eucharistic sacrifice.

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