(Christopher Wells/Vatican News) — Pope Francis is once again demonstrating his closeness to the suffering people of Ukraine, sending the head of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Service of Charity, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, to the war-torn country in the days before Christmas.
“Every day Pope Francis prays for peace in this war-torn country,” reads a press release announcing the mission, “but in a concrete way he wants to be present among them in these days, when we will celebrate the Birth of Jesus.”
Cardinal Krajewski will bring with him a mobile hospital, a large camper van that can be used for surgeries, as well as six ultrasound scanners that will be donated to hospitals damaged in the war.
The statement from the Dicastery notes that the Papal Almoner will visit various communities throughout Ukraine in order to meet with the people, aiming at opening “the door of hope” in their hearts and praying with them for the greatly longed-for peace.
