“I am thankful to the Holy Father that he supports us, prays for us, and desires to do everything to stop this war.”
Shevchuk has led the world’s more than four million Ukrainian Greek Catholics since 2011. The majority of his flock lives in Ukraine, a predominantly Orthodox Christian country with a population of 44 million people.
In his message, Shevchuk endorsed a new initiative called “Return Alive from Ukraine,” which he described as a “hotline for relatives of Russian soldiers” fighting in the country.
He said that “if someone from Russia has lost contact with their children or husbands who were sent to kill in Ukraine, call that number.”
He added: “We want to help you find either the bodies of your dead or your sons who might still be alive and return them to you from Ukraine.”
Russian officials have confirmed that their forces have suffered casualties in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry claims that approximately 5,300 Russian troops have died in Ukraine as of Feb. 28 — a figure that has not been independently confirmed.
Concluding his message, Shevchuk said: “May the Lord God send peace into the hearts of the nations. May He stop the war. May He help us to see peace in Ukraine.”
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