Holy Father greets Ukrainian military pilgrims

On Wednesday 25 May 2011, at St. Peter’s square in Vatican, the Holy Father again delivered a greeting in the Ukrainian language. This time the greeting was addressed to the Ukrainian military men participating in the 53-rd International military pilgrimage to Lourdes. The Holy Father said, “I extend my cordial greetings to all the Ukrainian military men who have participated in the military pilgrimage to Lourdes. Dear friends, refreshed with this spiritual stop at the footsteps of the Blessed Virgin Mary, return to your homeland with a desire to witness Christ and his Gospel with even greater zeal. Cordially I extend on you and your families my blessing. Christ is risen!”   This year’s military pilgrimage to Marian sanctuary in Lourdes lasted from 20 till 23 May. Headed by Bishop Mykhail Koltun, the Head of the Patriarchal Curia’s Department of pastoral care for armed forces, representatives of the Penitentiary Office of Ukraine participated for the first time in the pilgrimage. Other participants were representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Border Service, students of Lviv Academy of land forces of the Ministry of Defense. The total number of participants came to 69. It has become a tradition to visit Rome and participate in the General Audience with the Holy Father at the completion of the pilgrimage.  

Vatican Radio