Pope leads crowd in silent prayer for Ukraine

Pope Francis led a silent prayer for Ukraine on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square as fears mount over the possibility of a Russian invasion of Kyiv. 

“The news from Ukraine is very worrying,” the pontiff said, according to Reuters. “I entrust every effort for peace to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the consciences of responsible politicians.”

“Let us pray in silence,” he added, followed by about 30 seconds of quiet prayer with the crowd. 

U.S. officials say that Russia could invade any day, warning on Sunday that the window for diplomacy is “shrinking” as Moscow accelerates its military buildup near the Ukrainian border.

The pope spoke out about the situation in Ukraine earlier this month, saying that a potential war would lead to “madness” but that he hoped “war can be overcome through a serious dialogue.” In April, the pope also called for Russia and Ukraine to avoid any escalating tensions. 

“Please, I strongly hope that an increase of tensions is avoided, and, on the contrary, gestures are made capable of promoting reciprocal trust and favoring the reconciliation and the peace which are so necessary and so desired,” Francis said at the time.

While most of Ukraine follows Orthodox Christianity, it is also home to a branch of the Catholic Church, known as Eastern-rite Catholics.

Though Moscow has denied any plans to invade, instead warning Ukraine and the West of escalating tensions, Moscow has amassed over 100,000 troops on its border, in addition to about 30,000 troops in Belarus, where it is conducting military exercises until Feb. 20. 

President Biden on Saturday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call that Russia would endure “swift and severe costs” should it attack Ukraine.

Biden said the U.S. and its allies “will respond decisively and impose swift and severe costs on Russia” should an invasion take place, according to the White House.