Pope Francis on Wednesday urged people to remember Ukrainian children suffering from the cold this Christmas.
“Let’s think of the many children in Ukraine who suffer, suffer so much, because of this war,” he said in impromptu remarks at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
The pope has been making appeals for Ukraine at almost every public appearance, usually at least twice a week, since Russia invaded its neighbor in February.
“Most of the people I’ve seen here can’t smile,” he said, referring to the Ukrainian children who have found shelter in Rome with Italian families and charities.
“It is serious when a child loses the ability to smile. These children carry within themselves the tragedy of that war, so inhuman, so hard. Think of the Ukrainian people this Christmas – without electricity, without heat, without the essential things they need to survive,” he said.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine’s power infrastructure since October, destroying or damaging half of it.
Last week, the pope urged people to spend less on Christmas celebrations and gifts this year and send the difference to Ukrainians to help them get through the hunger and cold of winter.
The Vatican has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to send thermal underwear to Ukraine.
Countries in Europe and elsewhere are working to supply transformers, switches and cables, as well as the diesel generators needed to light and heat the country in winter.
Source: CNN Brasil
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