On March 11, a Mass and a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine and the world were held at the Upper Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. The event was organized at the initiative of the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See in the context of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and archbishop of Bologna. In his homily, he stressed the need for hope at a difficult moment for the world and called for an end to the war, emphasizing that genuine peace cannot be imposed by force. He also condemned any military actions aimed at the indiscriminate destruction of entire cities, calling them a crime against God and humanity.

The event brought together members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Ukrainian community and numerous pilgrims from different countries.

In his remarks, Ambassador Andrii Yurash said that a just peace means justice and reflects God’s will, adding that the pursuit of peace today has universal importance for all humanity.

Following the Mass, participants joined a prayer procession to the Lower Basilica of St. Francis, where they prayed before the saint’s relics for peace in Ukraine and around the world.