In a Christmas gesture, Pope Francis has make a plea to the rest of the world to remember Ukraine in their Christmas mood.
Ukraine as a war-ravaged country has suffered all sorts of crisis since Russia invasion, 85-year-old Pope has now called for ‘concrete gestures’ of charity for Ukrainians over the festive period during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Pope said, It is nice to celebrate Christmas and have parties but let’s lower the level of Christmas spending a bit,’ Francis said.
‘Let’s have a more humble Christmas, with more humble gifts. Let’s send what we save to the Ukrainian people, who need it.
The Pope continued,
Nearly 10 months into the war, hardship from the fighting has compounded as winter sets in and Russia pounds Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Missile strikes have been crippling – resulting in the periodic loss of electricity, heating, water and phone service across swathes of Ukraine.The Ukrainians ‘are suffering so much.
They are hungry, cold. So many people are dying because there are no doctors or nurses,’ the pope said.’
‘Let’s not forget them. Christmas, yes, in peace and with the Lord, yes, but with Ukrainians in the heart.’
In another Christmas gesture, The Vatican has organised humanitarian deliveries over recent months, including a clothing drive to send thermal wear to Ukrainians suffering the winter cold with reduced heating and electricity.
