Skip to content

Pope Francis Baptizes Ukrainian Child at the Vatican

On Monday, November 6, Pope Francis baptized Zakhariy, a 3-month-old Ukrainian baby, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.

On Monday, November 6, Pope Francis baptized Zakhariy, a 3-month-old Ukrainian baby, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta at the Vatican.

As reported by Vatican News, the child lives with his parents and nine siblings in Kamianets-Podilskyi, in western Ukraine, a region barely affected by the war that broke out in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion.

For this family, part of the Neocatechumenal Way, this Baptism is a “gift” amidst the hardships of war. They state that they endure “everything thanks to God, because God always takes care of our family.” “There is war in the country, and it is very difficult. Everyone prays for this war to end soon, for all prisoners to return home, and for there to be no more killings,” said 35-year-old mother Vita.

The mother of the child baptized by Pope Francis also stated: “I could never have even dreamed that we could be with the Holy Father and that he could baptize our son. But God is making such a wonderful story with us, one that we still don’t fully understand.”

Also present at the Baptism was Mons. Dubrawski, Bishop of Kamianets-Podilskyi of the Latins. At the General Audience on Wednesday, November 8, Pope Francis asked the faithful not to forget the “martyred Ukrainian people” suffering the consequences of a war in which many innocents have lost their lives.

This article was originally published on ACI Prensa. 

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

PHOTOS: Pope Francis returns to Vatican after surgery

Pope Francis left Rome's Gemelli Hospital shortly before 9:00 a.m. on June 16, 2023. Before returning to the Vatican, he stopped to pray in front of the historic Marian icon of Salus Populi Romani at St. Mary Major Basilica, and made a quick visit to a group of religious sisters close to St. Peter's Square.

The Conversion of Saint Paul and the place of his martyrdom in Rome

Nestled south of Rome’s center, near the historically renowned Aqua Salvia springs, stands the Abbey of the Three

We asked the new cardinals: How should the Church evangelize the world today?

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals for the Catholic Church on Saturday. The men, whose ages range from

The legacy of Cardinal Pell

Australian Cardinal George Pell, a towering figure in the Church and a defender of Orthodox Catholicism, died last night

Earthquake in Turkey and Syria: Pope Francis’ condolences

More than 1,350 people died in a violent earthquake that struck southern Turkey and Syria overnight. At magnitude

Pope Francis to Paris AI Action Summit: ‘Love is worth more than intelligence’

Pope Francis told leaders at the AI Summit in Paris that technology must serve and protect humanity.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNit