Lisbon, Portugal, Aug 16, 2023 / 08:22 am
Ukrainian pilgrims who attended World Youth Day in Lisbon earlier this month said they were amazed by the number of people from around the world who assured them of their prayers and support amid the war with Russia.
Marina Aleykseyeva, 31, who lives in Kyiv, spoke to CNA before the Aug. 6 WYD closing Mass about the experience of their delegation, which was made up of about 500 Ukrainians living all over the world and more than 140 who traveled from Ukraine itself.
“We are here to pray for the country, to pray for peace,” she said. “This World Youth Day is very, very special because all [of us] Ukrainians came here to pray for peace, to pray for the soldiers and for our families.”
She added that this World Youth Day was also particularly significant because of the many people, especially young men, who could not come because they were fighting in the war.