Pope Francis calls on intercession of St. Joseph for peace in Ukraine and Holy Land

 

An image of St. Joseph sits on the Pope's desk  (Vatican Media)

POPE

• POPE FRANCIS
• ST JOSEPH
• WAR
• GENERAL AUDIENCE

Pope Francis entrusts war-torn Ukraine and Holy Land to St. Joseph

On the day after the Feast of St. Joseph, Pope Francis entrusts the cause of peace to the intercession of St. Joseph, the holy spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, urging all sides to "make every effort to negotiate an end to war."

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"To St Joseph, we commend the war-torn peoples of Ukraine and the Holy Land, Palestine, and Israel, who suffer so greatly from the horror of war."

This was the latest appeal of Pope Francis for an end to the wars plaguing the world, one day after the Church celebrated the Feast of St. Joseph on 19 March.

Throughout his pontificate, the Holy Father has had a special place in his heart for the spouse of the Blessed Mother, having also dedicated a special Year of St. Joseph between 1 January 2020 and 8 December 2021.

'Negotiate to end the war'

"Let us never forget," the Pope reiterated, "war is always a defeat. One cannot go on in war."

"We must make every effort," he insisted, "to negotiate to end the war."

“We must make every effort to negotiate to end the war”

Inviting everyone to pray for this intention, Pope Francis concluded by imparting his blessing to all.