English Wall

Ukraine: Pope Francis joins UN appeal for Easter truce

ongoingPope Francis and the Holy See welcome the UN request for a "ceasefire" on the occasion of the celebration of Easter according to the Julian calendar, on 24 April.
 

By Vatican News staff reporter

"Nothing is impossible for God" are the words contained in a Vatican communiqué, which states that the Holy See and the Pope join the UN appeal for a truce in view of Easter, which, according to the Julian calendar, is celebrated on 24 April.

The request was promoted by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, in agreement with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and was launched on 19 April.

“Easter is a season for renewal, resurrection and hope. It is a time for reflection on the meaning of suffering, sacrifice, death, and rebirth. It is meant to be a moment of unity.”

Speaking to journalists in front of the UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Antonio Guterres noted, “Instead of a celebration of new life, this Easter coincides with a Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.”

The intense concentration of forces and firepower continues to make the battle more violent, bloody and destructive, he said.

“This cannot be allowed to happen. Hundreds of thousands of lives hang in the balance.”

The UN Chief continued, “Today, I am calling for a four-day, Holy Week humanitarian pause, beginning on Holy Thursday and running through Easter Sunday, April 24, to allow for the opening of a series of humanitarian corridors.”

Humanitarian needs are dire. People do not have food, water supplies, to treat the sick, or simply to live day-to-day.

read more