Benedetta Capelli, Sr. Amata J. Nowaszewska CSFN
Appeal of the bishops and reaction of the Holy See
As reported by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, several Ukrainian bishops have appealed to the Pope on behalf of communities affected by recent bombings, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region. The statement speaks of a dramatic humanitarian situation.
In response, a shipment containing the most urgent medical supplies was sent a few days ago. The commercial value of the donated medicines exceeds one million euros. The realization of this aid was possible primarily thanks to the involvement of the Fondazione Banco Farmaceutico ETS.
Support for families without heating
The aid also includes heating devices. The Bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia, Pavlo Honcharuk, appealed to Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, for support for over 800 families who lost heating due to attacks on energy infrastructure. The damage – as indicated – cannot be quickly repaired.
On February 24, medicines and hundreds of oil-filled electric heaters purchased in Italy arrived in Zaporizhzhia. In total, over 1000 devices were handed over to provide a source of heat for families sometimes forced to leave their homes or use temporary, heated shelters equipped with generators.
The Dicastery for the Service of Charity announced that despite logistical and operational difficulties, aid will be distributed in a short time to the areas affected by the bombings.
Appeal for peace
These actions are part of Pope Leo XIV’s appeal delivered during the Angelus prayer on February 22, in the context of the anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. The Holy Father then recalled the victims of the conflict, “broken families,” “the dramatic situation,” and “unspeakable suffering.”
He called for urgent action for peace, a ceasefire, and prayer for an end to the war.
