Pope Francis assured his prayers to those suffering in the Ukraine today. The Holy Father made his remarks during the second day of meetings at the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals at the Synod Hall in the Vatican.
“I would like to send a greeting, both from me personally and in the name of everyone [present], to the Ukrainian Cardinals: Cardinal [Marian] Jaworski, Emeritus of Lviv; and Cardinal [Ljubomyr] Husar, emeritus archbishop of Kiev – who are suffering much in these days and have many difficulties in their homeland,” the Pope said.
Protests took a violent turn as many demonstrators were killed in clashes with government forces. The Pope’s greeting comes as news of a possible agreement between the government of President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition groups was announced this morning. According to his website, President Yanukovych stated that he has conceded to three demands: new presidential elections, the formation of a national unity government and new presidential elections.
The Holy Father asked the Cardinals if they agreed to send a message in their name, to which they responded with applause.
‘Theology While Kneeling’
Regarding yesterday’s address by Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Holy Father said he spent time reflecting on the German prelate’s presentation and thanked him, saying that he found a “serene thought in theology” in his intervention.
Before concluding his address to the Consistory, Pope Francis said he found in Cardinal Kasper’s discourse an understanding of what St. Ignatius calls the “sensus Ecclesiae”, a “love for Mother Church.”
“It did me good and I had an idea – and excuse me if I embarrass [Your] Eminence, but the idea is: this is called doing theology while kneeling,” the Pope said.
