The mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko urged him Pope Francis to travel to its capital Of Ukraine of the Russian invasion, arguing that the presence of the head of the Roman Catholic Church could be crucial war – which has been going on for almost three weeks – and save lives.
The letter of the mayor and former world boxing champion to the pope followed invitations sent earlier by the archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican, broadcast the Reuters and AF agencies.
In an announcement issued by Vatican, it is reported that Pope Francis received the letter, which was sent on March 8. He emphasizes that the pope is praying for the Ukrainian people, but there is no reference to an invitation or a trip to the Kyivwhich separates a few kilometers from the Russian forces.
«We believe that the presence of the Pope in Kyiv is a “key” to save lives and pave the way for peace in our city, in our country and beyond.“, Wrote Vitali Klitschko in his letter to the head of the Roman Catholic Church, reports APE BPE.
He said Kyiv was ready to offer any assistance needed. In the event that the visit of Pope Francis was not possible, the mayor of Kiev proposed a video conference with the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which would be broadcast either live or videotaped.
«We call on you, as a spiritual leader, to show your compassion, to stand by the Ukrainian people, spreading with us the call for peace“, Klitschko said in the letter.
The contents of the letter were confirmed by the mayor’s spokesperson Klitschko.
The Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav Shevtsuk and the Ukrainian ambassador to the Vatican Andriy Giourashad invited the pope last month, but before the start of the Russian invasion.
The Vatican communiqué echoes the words of Pope Francis, who rejected the allegations made by Moscow to justify the invasion: “In the face of the barbarity of killing children, innocents and civilians, no strategic reason is valid. All that needs to be done is to stop this unacceptable military attack before turning cities into cemeteries.».
Russia says its actions are not aimed at occupying territories, but at demilitarizing and “demilitarizing” Ukraine. In fact, Moscow calls the invasion a “special military operation”, while the country’s media that do not adopt the relevant line may face severe sanctions.
On March 6, Pope Francis unreservedly rejected this termemphasizing that it can not be considered “just a military operation” but a war that has caused “rivers of blood and tears”.
Source: News Beast
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