Pope Francis holds historic video conference with young Ukrainians amid ongoing war
Pope Francis participated in a historic video conference with 250 young Ukrainians from Kyiv and various cities across Europe and the Americas, offering words of encouragement, faith, and forgiveness amid the ongoing war in Ukraine on February 1.
The virtual event, organized by Apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas and Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, marked the first-ever direct meeting between the Pope and young Ukrainians.
Speaking from Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis responded to their heartfelt questions, urging them to resist retaliation and embrace dialogue.
He recalled the example of Oleksandr, a soldier who carried a small Gospel to the frontlines, emphasizing the importance of remembering heroes who have sacrificed their lives for their country.
Several young Ukrainians shared experiences of war, loss, and hope.
A 17-year-old girl recounted praying for her soldier brother, who had been wounded multiple times.
Another youth from Kharkiv spoke of fallen friends and the destruction of their homeland, while a young woman from Donetsk expressed her desire for justice and lasting peace.
The pope condemned the devastation of war, highlighting its impact beyond the battlefield: "War brings famine. It destroys cities, dreams, and faith in the future."
Holding up a rosary belonging to Oleksandr, the Pope called it a relic of a young man who gave his life for peace.
When asked about forgiveness, he acknowledged its difficulty but emphasized its necessity: "Forgiveness is not easy, but we must move forward and forgive as we have been forgiven."
Encouraging the youth to love their homeland despite the hardships, Pope Francis urged them to carry a pocket Gospel and read a passage daily.
He also reminded them to cherish the wisdom of their grandparents, calling them the guardians of memory.
Before giving his blessing, the pope made a heartfelt request: "Do not forget your young heroes—those who have given their lives for their country."
His words resonated with the young audience, who responded with applause and cheers of "Long live the Pope!"
The event ended with the singing of Ukraine’s spiritual hymn, marking a moment of unity, faith, and resilience.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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