The Daughters of Jesus join the call of Pope Francis for peace and the cessation of violence, with our eyes and our prayer placed together with the Ukrainian people.
I have a great pain in my heart because of the worsening of the situation in Ukraine. Despite the diplomatic efforts of recent weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up. Like me, many people around the world are feeling anguish and concern. Once again, the peace of all is threatened by the interests of the parties. I would like to make an appeal to those who have political responsibilities to make a serious examination of conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war: who is the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us brothers and not enemies. I ask all the parties involved to refrain from any action that causes even more suffering to the populations, destabilizing coexistence between nations and discrediting international law.
And I would like to appeal to everyone, believers and non-believers. Jesus has taught us that the diabolical folly of violence is answered with the weapons of God, with prayer and fasting. I invite everyone to make next March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace. I especially encourage believers to dedicate themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of peace preserve the world from the madness of war.
Francisco
