SW News: On March 17, Pope Francis will conduct the first Mass of Lent, the season of fasting and prayer in the Roman Catholic Church. The pontiff has urged Christians to "stay united in faith and solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are suffering as a result of the conflict," especially "the tormented Ukrainian people."
A Lenten prayer programme centred on adoration and penance, "24 Hours for the Lord" was introduced by the pope and he issued the call at the start of the event.
During his Sunday Angelus address, the Holy Father referred to the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which took place during last year's penitential service and included a prayer for peace.
Before Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, the pope launched "24 Hours for the Lord" in 2014. This initiative encourages all Catholic churches to remain open for adoration and confession from Friday evening through Saturday evening. The watch will be held on March 17 and 18 this year.
Every year since the service's beginning, the holy father has held a penitential liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica to kick off the year; however, the 2020 and 2021 services had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Last year, at his inauguration, Pope Francis declared Russia and Ukraine to be under the Immaculate Heart of Mary.