At the end of his General Audience, Pope Francis received a pair of special visitors.
A translator explained to the Pope that the husbands of these two Ukrainian women are fighting in Mariupol.
The Pope stood up despite his knee pain to show his respect.
Their husbands are part of the famous Azov regiment, the same one currently barricaded in the Azovstal steelworks.
The two women became emotional as they spoke to the Pope and asked him for this favor.
You are our last hope. We hope you can save their lives. Please don't let them die.
I will pray for your husbands.
Their names are Kateryna and Yulya. Pope Francis prayed with them for a few moments and imparted his blessing.
JRB
TR: JM