Vatican offers to mediate end to Ukraine War
Pope Francis is suffering from acute knee pain and won’t preside over this week’s Ash Wednesday celebrations after his doctor ordered him to rest. Despite his health issues, the pope has launched efforts to mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Pope Francis will not be presiding over the customary mass for the start of Lent at the Basilica of Saint Sabina on Rome’s Aventine Hill this year.
The pope’s knee ailment also forced him to cancel travel plans for the first time in his papacy. Francis was scheduled to celebrate mass Sunday in Florence for the closing of a meeting of bishops and mayors from the Mediterranean region.
But knee pain has not stopped the Pope from repeatedly voicing his concern about the developments in Ukraine.
On Friday, he visited the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Alexander Avdeev, to express those concerns in person.
The Pope has called for Ash Wednesday this week to serve as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine.
His worries were voiced again Sunday when he said his “heart is broken” and called for arms to fall silent.
Referring to those in search of refuge as brothers and sisters, the pope made an impassioned appeal for humanitarian corridors to help refugees leave Ukraine.
The Vatican has now said it is prepared to assist in any negotiation aimed at ending the war in the eastern European country. The Vatican’s No. 2, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said in interviews published in Italian newspapers Monday that the Vatican is offering to facilitate dialogue with Russia. He said there is always space for negotiation.
Earlier, the head of the Italian Bishop’s Conference, Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, announced the pope would not travel after speaking to the Holy Father on the phone.
Bassetti said the pope had given his strong backing to the “Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace” meeting in Florence and had wanted to attend but the doctor recommended that he take a “period of greater rest” for his leg.
It remains unclear whether the pope’s current knee problem is linked to previous sciatica conditions that have forced him to cancel some of his public appearances in recent times and has also caused him to limp. Only last month, the 85-year-old pontiff complained of a pain in his leg, saying it was worse when he remained standing.
Pope Francis underwent colon surgery in July in what was considered his most serious health issue since he was elected head of the Catholic Church in March 2013. After spending 10 days in a hospital, he appeared to recover well and soon returned to his daily activities. (VOA)
527678 856416This is a appropriate blog for would like to find out about this subject. You realize a good deal its almost challenging to argue along (not that I personally would wantHaHa). You in fact put the latest spin with a topic thats been discussed for a long time. Wonderful stuff, just great! 814140
Hey there I am so happy I found your weblog,
I really found you by accident, while I was browsing on Google for
something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say thanks a lot for a remarkable
post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all
at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please
do keep up the great b.
I was able to find good advice from your articles.
Your style is unique in comparison to other people
I have read stuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this
blog.
May I simply just say what a relief to find someone
that really knows what they’re talking about over the internet.
You actually understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
More people need to check this out and understand this
side of the story. It’s surprising you are not more popular because you certainly possess the gift.
Hi there, its good piece of writing about media print, we
all be aware of media is a great source of information.
Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t know then its up to other users that they will assist, so here it occurs.
Everything is very open with a precise clarification of the issues.
It was definitely informative. Your site is extremely helpful.
Many thanks for sharing!
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here.
The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter
stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you
wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you
shield this increase.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book
in it or something. I think that you could do
with a few pics to drive the message home a little bit,
but other than that, this is magnificent blog.
An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
I know this web page presents quality depending articles or reviews and additional stuff, is there any other site which presents these
kinds of things in quality?
My brother suggested I may like this website. He was once entirely right.
This publish truly made my day. You can not believe simply
how much time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
Great post.
Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues.
It was truly informative. Your site is useful. Thank
you for sharing!
Touche. Solid arguments. Keep up the good spirit.