VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis called on people on Wednesday to remember Ukrainian children suffering from the cold this Christmas.
“Think of the many children in Ukraine who are suffering, suffering so much because of this war,” he said at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Since Russia’s invasion of the neighboring country in February, the pope has been appealing to Ukraine in almost every public appearance, usually at least twice a week.
“Most of those I have seen here cannot manage to smile,” he said, referring to Ukrainian children who have found shelter in Rome with Italian families and charities.
“It is serious when a child loses the ability to smile. These children carry within themselves the tragedy of that war, so inhuman, so harsh. Let us think of the Ukrainian people this Christmas – without electricity, without Heated, without the essentials.” They need to survive,” he said.
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Russia has been destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure since October, destroying or damaging half of it.
Last week, the Pope urged people to spend less on Christmas celebrations and gifts this year and send the difference to Ukrainians to help them get relief from hunger and cold.
The Vatican has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to send thermal underwear to Ukraine.
Countries in Europe and beyond are working to supply transformers, switches and cables as well as diesel generators needed to light and heat the country in winter.
(Reporting by Philip Pullela; Editing by Barbara Lewis)
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