Pope Francis concluded the Wednesday general audience this December 14 with a specific suggestion to help the people in Ukraine:
Brothers and sisters I say to you: there is so much suffering in Ukraine, so much, so much! And I would like to draw attention a little bit to the coming Christmas, the holidays. It is good to celebrate Christmas, to have parties … but let’s lower the level of Christmas spending … Let’s have a more humble Christmas, with more humble gifts.
Let’s send what we save to the Ukrainian people, who are in need, suffering so much; they go hungry; they feel the cold; and so many die because there are no doctors, nurses on hand.
Let us not forget: a Christmas, yes; at peace with the Lord, yes, but with Ukrainians in our hearts. And let us offer that specific help for them.
A Christmas, yes; at peace with the Lord, yes, but with Ukrainians in our hearts …
Options to give:
We suggest these charities as possible ways to help the Ukrainian people this Christmas, as the Pope invites us.
Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which works in Ukraine. Donate here.
Catholic Relief Services, the US-branch of international Caritas. Donate at either of the previous links.
Aid to the Church in Need. Donate here.
And today we celebrate...