SW News: Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich on Monday re-launched the European Bishops‘ plea for peace in the continent, underlining the need for Churches to do everything possible to reach a ceasefire because every day there are people who die, are wounded, who are hungry, thirsty, and suffer from cold.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, the Cardinal, who is the outgoing President of the Commission of the Bishops‘ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE), reflected on some of the main challenges of his five-year mandate that is coming to an end. He also reiterated the bishops‘ plea for peace between Russia and Ukraine.

Cardinal Hollerich said that war is not just about politics, it is about human people adding that “it is not just a wound for people in Ukraine it is a wound to the soul and the heart of Europe.”

The Cardinal appealed to rediscover the real value of Christmas and urged the people of Russia and Ukraine, their governments, and the Churches to make peace! The Cardinal observed that it is challenging to consider Europe as a force for peace while violence rages in Ukraine. Europe has undoubtedly gotten more divided over the past several years, but Cardinal Hollerich claims that Catholics still demonstrate neighborly love and unity.

According to the cardinal, many Catholics welcome refugees. And he disclosed that his own home is housing a Ukrainian family as well. “It's a pleasure to see them: the mother and two sons, one 16, one 10 years old. They are the living sign of the suffering of that country.” This makes it quite evident that "war is not just about politics, it's about human people," the prelate stated. “Because the war is not just a wound for people in Ukraine it is a wound to the soul and to the heart of Europe.”