杏MAP导航 Francis: 'I want to go to Ukraine, but at the right moment'
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
杏MAP导航 Francis has reiterated he wishes to visit the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, but is waiting for the right time.
The 杏MAP导航 expressed this desire while to a Ukrainian child on Saturday who was one of some 160 children of various faiths from the outskirts of Italian cities. The group met with him as part of an initiative called the 鈥淐hildren鈥檚 Train.鈥� Some of the children are refugees.
The initiative forms part of the 鈥淐ourtyard of the Gentiles鈥� programme of the Vatican鈥檚 Pontifical Council for Culture, in collaboration with the Italian state railways, and typically includes children who are not only Catholics but also Muslims, Buddhists, Orthodox, atheists and others.
This year marks the 8th edition of the 鈥淐hildren's Train,鈥� which was not possible during the pandemic.
'I think a lot about the children in Ukraine'
In meeting the children, the Holy Father responded to their various questions, rather than delivering a prepared text.
Sachar, a child from Ukraine who left as a refugee and has found welcome in Rome, said, "I don't have a question but rather a request: can you come to Ukraine to save all the children who are suffering there now?"
The Holy Father told Sachar, "I think a lot about children in Ukraine," and for this reason, he noted, "I have sent some Cardinals to help there and be close to all the people, but above all, to the children."
杏MAP导航 Francis has been invited by civil and Church authorities to visit Ukraine, and has said in the past, that it is on the table.
What it's like being the 杏MAP导航
The Holy Father was asked what it is like to be 杏MAP导航.
"The important thing, in any profession in which life puts you, is that you do not stop being you," 杏MAP导航 Francis said, saying to always be yourself.
"Is it tiring to be 杏MAP导航?" another child asked.
"God gives the strength to bear his own efforts" and we must carry it out "with honesty, sincerity and work," the Holy Father said.
God always with us
During the questions, the Holy Father stressed how essential it is to remember God is with us, and that feeling protected by the Lord helps us.
"The worst thing," he warned, "is when we don't want to feel the Lord close," and opt instead for distance.
"The secret is: to feel the Lord close," he said. "And this accompanies you throughout your life."
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
