Francis appeals for prayer for war stricken Ukraine

Pope Francis asked for prayers for those affected by the war in Ukraine on Wednesday during his general audience at St Peter's Basilica. Speaking to the faithful, he made a comparison between the lives of the young people in the crowd and the suffering many children in Ukraine are experiencing.

His appeal came hours before the Holy See's top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is to preside over an afternoon Mass for peace in Ukraine for ambassadors accredited to the Holy See. The Ukrainian and Russian ambassadors are expected. Francis has stepped up his criticism of the war but has refrained from condemning Russia by name, evidence of his aim to keep open a dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church, the Vatican's tradition of not calling out aggressors and its efforts to position itself as a possible mediator.

Francis on Friday, meanwhile, is to celebrate a Mass during which he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a ritual that holds deep significance for Catholic followers. According to tradition, one of the so-called secrets of Fatima concerns the consecration of Russia to "the Immaculate Heart of Mary," prophesizing that peace will follow if the consecration is done.

St. John Paul II performed the consecration on March 25, 1984, and Francis will repeat the gesture 38 years later. On the same day, Francis' chief alms-giver, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who recently returned from a humanitarian mission to Ukraine, will celebrate a consecration Mass in Fatima, Portugal, the site of the early 20th century Marian apparitions that formed the basis of the "secrets of Fatima." The "Three Secrets of Fatima" are based on accounts from three young Portuguese shepherds who had visions and prophecies after several visits from the Virgin Mary.