Pope Francis prays before the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, during his visit to the Shrine of Jasna Gora in 2016
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
August 18 2022
Pope Francis prays for Mary to guide the destiny of Europe and the world, help us put Christ and the Gospel first, and reiterates that his thoughts are always with war-torn Ukraine and its suffering people.
“May the Black Madonna help guide the destiny of Europe and the world.”
The Holy Father expressed this prayer during his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican when addressing Polish-speaking faithful and pilgrims present.
The Pope remembered the thousands of pilgrims making a pilgrimage to the shrine of Jasna Góra in recent days, praying for peace and reconciliation in the world. He recalled that among them are many Ukrainians “who have found in your country a hospitable home.”
Never forget Ukraine
Pope Francis said his thoughts always go toward war-torn Ukraine.
As the war continues to wage on after the Russian invasion of its neighbour, the Holy Father repeated his appeal not to forget that suffering people nor grow accustomed to the war.
The Pope has made countless appeals for the country and has offered to do anything possible to help bring an end to the war.
He has expressed repeatedly his interest in going to both Moscow and Kyiv and has reiterated the Holy See’s availability to help with mediation.
Mary, helping us prioritize Christ
The Pope prayed that young people, elderly and newlyweds, let Mary actively work in their lives just days after the recently-celebrated Solemnity of the Assumption.
The Pope said Our Lady’s Feast Day “invites us to live our worldly journey, with dedication, constantly oriented toward eternal goods.”
After the Pope spent his Audience stressing the link between the elderly and the young having the power to save humanity, toward the end of the Audience, a little boy unexpectedly ran up to the Pope on the stage and stayed beside him a while.
Let us pray for vocations
The Holy Father greeted with particular affection the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception who are celebrating their General Chapter.
Noting they were in the Curia in Buenos Aires, Pope Francis said, “I know them well.”
“Let us pray for vocations,” he said. – Vatican News
