Cardinal Zuppi Urges Silence of Weapons as Church Marks Four Years of War in Ukraine
Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi has renewed the Catholic Church’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging that weapons fall silent and dialogue take precedence over continued violence. The appeal came during a prayer vigil held in Rome on February 24, 2026, marking four years since the full scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began.
The vigil took place at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere and was organized by the Community of Sant Egidio, a lay Catholic association known for its commitment to peace initiatives and humanitarian work. Addressing the faithful, Cardinal Zuppi reflected on perseverance in prayer and the moral responsibility of Christians in the face of prolonged conflict.
He asked how believers can continue to pray without losing heart, especially in an age accustomed to immediacy and quick results. Prayer, he suggested, requires patience and steadfastness. It is not passive but a form of resistance against evil, war, and what he described as a growing culture of indifference that normalizes suffering.
The president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference reiterated that the Church seeks only one outcome in the current war. He referenced the words of Pope Leo XIV, emphasizing that the Church calls for a ceasefire and the opening of a genuine path toward peace. Conflicts, he stressed, cannot be resolved by weapons but through dialogue. Achieving peace demands collective responsibility, particularly from European nations, which play a central role in shaping diplomatic and humanitarian responses.
Cardinal Zuppi described the anniversary as a painful reminder of a war that continues to inflict suffering on civilians. He noted that the longer the conflict persists, the deeper the wounds for Ukraine and for humanity as a whole. The only victory worth pursuing, he said, is a peace that restores dignity and safeguards human life.
The Community of Sant Egidio has maintained a continuous presence in Ukraine since 1991. Following the invasion, it expanded its humanitarian operations, establishing five centers for internally displaced persons in Kyiv, Lviv, and Ivano Frankivsk. The organization also distributes aid in regions near active combat zones, including Kramatorsk, Kharkiv, Nikopol, and Sumy.
Since the outbreak of war, more than 200 shipments of humanitarian assistance have been delivered, amounting to thousands of tons of food, clothing, medical supplies, and hygiene products. Hundreds of thousands of individuals have received direct support, while millions have benefited from medical programs.
During the vigil, Cardinal Zuppi highlighted personal stories of displaced families who have found shelter and solidarity through Church initiatives. He emphasized that compassion and active charity remain essential responses to violence, calling on believers to counter hatred with acts of love.
