Pope Francis has invited all the world's bishops to join in the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on March 25.
The powerful gesture ties back the Marian apparitions at Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, in which Catholics believe the Virgin Mary appeared to three children, and asked for the consecration of Russia to her heart.
Previous consecrations to the Immaculate Heart of Mary were performed by Popes Pius XII, and John Paul II, though some have called their validity into question, on account of their language and coordination with the world's bishops.
Yet in 2000, the Vatican published a document stating that Sister Lucia, one of the children to whom Mary appeared, claimed that Pope John Paul II's consecration was “done exactly as Our Lady requested.”
By explicitly inviting the world's bishops to join in the consecration, Pope Francis is leaving little room to doubt that the Catholic Church is taking every spiritual measure available to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
The Vatican has also announced that Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, head of the Office of Papal Charities, will join the Pope in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary from Fatima.
JM
