"The news from Ukraine is very worrying. I entrust every effort for peace to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and to the conscience of the political leaders. Let us pray in silence."
Thus, the Pope led a moment of prayer on February 13, after praying the midday Angelus.
The Holy Father has made repeated calls to avert war.
During the general audience on February 9, he particularly encouraged the “Normandy Format,” a four-pronged diplomatic configuration set up in 2014, which brings together Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany.
On January 26, the Bishop of Rome led a Day of Prayer for Peace in Ukraine. “Weapons are not the way,” he warned after leading the Angelus on December 12, 2021.