Head of the UGCC expressed support to Italians and assured them of his prayer

In a letter to cardinal Gaultierro Bassetti, President of the Italian Bishops' conference, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed solidarity and prayerful support of the Italian people in connection with the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In an emergency situation, the Italian Church testifies to the whole world the authentic love of the mother Church for her children," the head of the UGCC writes in a letter of solidarity. This is reported by the UGCC Information Department.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that Italy is a very close country for Ukraine," the second homeland of many Ukrainians, which hospitably received them at a time of special difficulty." The head of the UGCC first of all expressed words of support to the patients, their families, medical staff, priests and monastics who deal with the patients.

The example of the Church in Italy, according to His Beatitude Sviatoslav," is a true Christian testimony of the good Samaritan in serving the neediest." Even in careful compliance with health standards and measures of the state authorities to counteract the coronavirus pandemic," the Italian Church demonstrates its Ministry in search of new forms of contact with its faithful, turning into a real "field hospital", as previously invited by Pope Francis."

The head of the UGCC also pointed to the sacrificial work of many Ukrainian women who are cared for and cared for by elderly Italians. Being in the category of special danger,"our Ukrainian women feel that their work is a special mission".

His Beatitude Sviatoslav recalled the "prophetic" words of Pope Francis addressed to Ukrainians in January 2018 during a visit to the Hagia Sophia in Rome: "I ask you to perceive your work, which is often difficult and poorly paid, not only as a job but as a specific mission: you are a support for many elderly people, their sisters, thanks to whom they do not feel alone."

"Expressing solidarity of the UGCC with the Italian people, assure you of our constant prayer before the global threat of pandemic and names with you in anticipation of Christ's resurrection in a single God's people" - with these words concluded his letter, His Beatitude Sviatoslav.