LBCI

Pope calls for world day of "prayer for peace" over Ukraine crisis

Middle East

23-01-2022 | 11:28

Share

Share

Pope calls for world day of "prayer for peace" over Ukraine crisis

2^min

Pope Francis on Sunday called for an international day of "prayer for peace" on January 26 to stop the Ukraine crisis from worsening, saying the tensions were threatening the security of Europe and risking vast repercussions.

Francis announced the prayer day and made the appeal for dialogue to defuse the crisis during his weekly address and blessing to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square.

Top U.S. and Russian diplomats failed on Friday to make a major breakthrough in talks to resolve the crisis over Ukraine, although they agreed to keep talking. On Sunday, Britain accused Russia of seeking to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine.

"I am following with concern the rising tensions that threaten to deliver a new blow to peace in Ukraine and put the security of Europe in doubt, with even more vast repercussions," he said.

He appealed to "all people of good will" to pray next Wednesday so that all political initiatives "be for the service of human fraternity" rather than partisan interests. The Vatican gave no immediate details on how the pope would mark the day.

"Those who pursue their interests by damaging others are in contempt of his vocation as a man, because we were all created as brothers," he said, without elaborating.

On Friday U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and warned of a "swift, severe" response if Russia invades Ukraine after massing troops near its border.

REUTERS

Breaking Headlines

Pope

Prayer

Peace

Ukraine

Crisis

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Hezbollah media office denies claims about stance on negotiations

2026-03-06

Hezbollah media office denies claims about stance on negotiations

France warns of 'provocation' if Russian drone buzzed aircraft carrier

2026-02-27

France warns of 'provocation' if Russian drone buzzed aircraft carrier

UK to call for toll-free Strait of Hormuz, wants Lebanon in ceasefire deal

2026-04-09

UK to call for toll-free Strait of Hormuz, wants Lebanon in ceasefire deal

Israel army says hit 'hundreds of Iranian military targets', including missile launchers

Middle East News

2026-02-28

Israel army says hit 'hundreds of Iranian military targets', including missile launchers

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

1

LBCI sources: Lebanon to hand former Syrian General Adel Issa to Syrian judiciary

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

2

Rain in August? Sudden weather shift surprises Lebanon: Video

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

3

Walla: Israeli military strikes Ali al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

4

Diplomacy vs. escalation: Southern Lebanon enters a critical new phase

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

5

Wanted for war crimes: Why was retired Syrian Gen. Adel Issa detained in Beirut?

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

6

Human Rights Watch urges UN to maintain peacekeeping force in South Lebanon

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

7

Waste crisis or new tax? Lebanon’s environmental fee raises questions

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

8

Etna eruption extends closure of Sicily's Catania airport until Saturday

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More