Pope Francis is holding a day of prayer for peace in Ukraine on Wednesday, calling for a dialogue that takes precedence over partisan interests, aimed at resolving the standoff between the West and Russia..

Last Sunday, Francis called on all believers to offer prayers on Wednesday for an end to the crisis.. He stressed that tensions threaten the security of Europe and are fraught with serious consequences..

“I ask you to pray for peace in Ukraine, and do it often throughout the day,” Francis said..

Pontiff says he hopes 'wounds, fears and divisions' can be overcome.

As the people of Ukraine and other countries offered prayers, Francis expressed the hope that "

The Pontiff recalled that more than five million people died in Ukraine during the Second World War. He also mentioned that people in Ukraine suffered from hunger and colossal cruelty.. Pope Francis obviously had in mind the millions of Ukrainians who died during the years of Stalinist collectivization - the Holodomor.