The Pope’s representative in Uganda (Papal Nuncio), Archbishop Luigi Bianco, has led prayers for peace between Russia and Ukraine at Sacred Heart of Mary Cathedral.

This comes after Pope Francis invited bishops, priests, and ordinary faithful around the world to join him in the consecration prayer for Russia and Ukraine.

According to the Archbishop, Pope Francis led the world's Catholic bishops on Friday in praying for peace between Russia and Ukraine, saying the world had forgotten the tragedies of the 20th century.

Papal Nuncio Bianco was assisted by Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese Paul Ssemogerere, former Papal Nuncio to Belgium Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, chancellor of Kampala Fr Dr Pius Male Ssentumbwe, and several priests including those from nunciate (Papal Nuncio’s home).

Other dignities were the ambassadors of Germany Matthias Schauer, and Papal Knights, among others.     

Archbishop Bianco said Pope Francis presided at a service in St. Peter's Basilica in which he entrusted the protection of all humanity, "especially Russia and Ukraine," to Mary, who Christians believe is the mother of God and who can intercede with him in heaven.

He said: “Pope Francis called all of us, bishops, priests and faithful in cathedrals and chapels around the world to recite the same prayers in local languages, resulting in one of the most precisely coordinated global Church events in living memory.”

Archbishop Bianco while addressing the congregation before reciting the prayers, was worried about scenes of death in which "bombs are destroying the homes of many of our defenseless Ukrainian brothers and sisters" and of "a cruel and senseless war that threatens our world."

After Archbishop Bianco read the same prayer in front of a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, he asked God to help the world to free it from the war and protect it from the menace of nuclear weapons.

However, Archbishop Ssemogerere, while addressing the congregation, said, “Pope Francis called all of us to consecration to Virgin Mary as praying for our fellow brothers and sisters who are suffering in war, especially in Russia and Ukraine.”

Ssemogerere added, "as we are praying for our brothers and sisters, what have you done for your brothers and sisters who are suffering? Pope Francis called all of us to come back to our senses because all of us are created in the image of God."

He added: “Everyone is called to be the agent of peace. Today in prayers we consecrated in the heart of Mary not only for Russia and Ukraine but also for all of us because even here in Uganda killing it is too much."