Amid the chaos of war, it is the innocent children who bear the brunt of the suffering. Pope Francis, in his latest General Audience, shed light on the heartbreaking reality faced by children in war-torn regions. He recounted a recent meeting with Ukrainian children who had endured unspeakable horrors, such as burns and lost limbs, due to the mercilessness of war.
Article by Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Children suffer… Children in war suffer,” emphasized Pope Francis passionately at the end of his address to the audience in the Vatican. With wars continuing to ravage various parts of the world, the Pontiff issued a heartfelt plea for peace.
In his final words to Italian pilgrims, Pope Francis expressed his concern for the turmoil in Ukraine. He recounted the heart-wrenching encounter with children who had been severely injured by the atrocities of war, emphasizing the inherent cruelty of armed conflicts.
“These young boys and girls now have to navigate life with artificial limbs… their smiles have vanished,” lamented the Pope. “It is truly heartbreaking when a child loses their joy. Let us unite in prayer for the Ukrainian children.”
Pope Francis also implored the global community to remember the immense suffering in Palestine and Israel, urging for an end to the conflicts. He then turned his attention to the plight of Myanmar and other war-ravaged nations.
The Holy Father called on all believers to join him in praying for God’s comfort and peace to envelop all those enduring hardships, particularly the children.
