杏MAP导航

By Salvatore Cernuzio

杏MAP导航 Francis has again taken up pen and paper鈥攁s he did on November 19 with his letter to the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine鈥攖o write a letter to his representative in the Russian Federation, Archbishop Giovanni d鈥橝niello.

In his letter, the 杏MAP导航 expressed his continued sorrow for the prolonged war in Ukraine that represents a 鈥渟erious wound inflicted on the human family.

Close to those who suffer

November 19 marked one thousand days since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nearly three years of bombings, killings, injuries, and imprisonments have left hundreds of thousands of people dead and a flood of tears shed by broken families.

Since the start of the war, 杏MAP导航 Francis has sought to operate under the principle of 鈥渆qui-closeness鈥� toward those who suffer. This principle is proper to the 杏MAP导航, shepherd of the universal Church, and characterizes Vatican diplomacy.

Cry of pain

杏MAP导航 Francis said he seeks to act as 鈥渋nterpreter鈥� of the pain 鈥渙f the tens of thousands of mothers, fathers, and children who mourn their loved ones fallen in war or are anguished over those missing, taken prisoner, or injured, whether they be military or civilian.鈥�

Rebuilding peace

鈥淭he painful and prolonged duration of this war urgently challenges us, calling us to the duty of reflecting together on how to alleviate the sufferings of those affected and to rebuild peace,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 wrote. His letter was signed on December 12 ahead of Christmas but was released on Saturday, December 14.

鈥淲e are all bound by a mutual responsibility, in the spirit of true human fraternity,鈥� he added, reiterating his personal concern for the 鈥渞eports of suffering caused by the conflict in that region.鈥�

The Brothers Karamazov and the suffering of the innocent

There have been many reports of air raids, civilians killed by bombs, increased arms shipments, and a ceasefire that seems increasingly out of reach.

Yet, what anguishes 杏MAP导航 Francis most, he said, is above all the suffering of the innocent.

In his letter, the 杏MAP导航 drew on Russian culture, citing one of the authors most dear to him, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and his The Brothers Karamazov.

He recalled the dialogue, contained in the fourth chapter of Book V, in which Ivan, one of the brothers, explains to Alyosha his rejection of God鈥檚 world because of human suffering, particularly that of children. The 杏MAP导航 has cited the scene several times over the course of his pontificate.

Renewed diplomatic efforts

杏MAP导航 Francis said he joins the cry of those who suffer, saying his heart is 鈥済rieved by the shattered lives, destruction, and suffering, as well as by the serious wound inflicted on the human family by this war.鈥�

鈥淚 trust that the humanitarian efforts directed toward the most vulnerable may pave the way for renewed diplomatic efforts, necessary to halt the progression of the conflict and to achieve the long-awaited peace,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.

Imploring the gift of peace

Finally, looking toward 鈥渢his common path,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the words of 鈥渁 wise man of God, so dear to the Russian people,鈥� Saint Seraphim of Sarov.

鈥淎cquire the spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved.鈥� The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 letter includes the same words in Cyrillic: 鈥�小褌褟卸懈 写褍褏 屑懈褉械薪 懈 褌褘褋褟褔懈 胁芯泻褉褍谐 褌械斜褟 褋锌邪褋褍褌褋褟.鈥�

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited 鈥渆very person of goodwill to join in prayer to God, imploring the gift of peace, and in the commitment to contribute to this noble goal, for the good of all humanity.鈥�