Dear Laura, please receive my love in the name of all Ukrainians. No society in the world will ever be unanimous on supporting or condemning a country, but what truly matters is what you believe and how deeply you stand by it. Those who supports Russia may not see clearly now, but truth has way of rising. And when it does, it will speak for itself 💙
This is a beautiful tribute, thank you. Pope Francis wasn’t totally fair to the people of Ukraine, but he was a good and humble man, truly of the people. I am not Catholic but I respected and appreciated him every day.
Thank you Cindy, that was exactly my intention, to remember that he was a man of such greatness that goes beyond his position as a clerical, a religious authority, or even a head of state he was. I am not Catholic either, but many people in Ukraine are, particularly in Lviv and the Western regions of the country. But still, that goes beyond religion, as you perfectly remembered! 💙🙏
Víctor, my Jewish great-grandparents were from a village near Lviv! (Though I’ve tried, I can’t find exactly where they were from before they came to the US in 1902)
Me too; I especially liked his pro-environmental stance (thank you for pointing that out in your wonderful missive, Viktor!). We deeply, deeply need to work together, all of us, to save ourselves and our world before it's too late. War and imperialistic attempts don't do anyone any good, and I hope Trump and Putin finally get that through their thick heads while we still have time. X-P
I just hope the College of Cardinals choose a good 'un and doesn't go back to, say, the head of the Inquisition again -- sorry, the "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith." :-/
Thank you Hana, it's easy to criticize the pope or other political figures from our position outside of the big circles of power, but while we must keep criticizing, it's fair to recognize that most times things do not depend on their personal actions despite their best intentions. We can't imagine the pressures a man like the pope suffered just because of his position. 💙🙏
You are such an insightful, caring human. A gift to the world and those who share space with you, as well as us with whom you share your thoughts and words.
You have certainly earned the right to criticize the people in power, and despite your horrific circumstances, not unlike the Pope, you are doing it with grace, dignity, and a touch of fierceness.
Viktor. Your heartfelt words take my breath away. We will continue to pray for peace and be kind , welcoming and loving humans. After all, we only have each other to lean on.. May God keep you safe and bless your magnificent heart. ❤️ Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
Really grateful for your words, dear Sheri. I write because I believe that we can still extract kindness from this devastation I see and live around me, and the Pope was more than a symbol of a religion or a church, but someone who embodied everything we so much talk about here, bringing so many wonderful messages like yours (which really warm my heart) 💙🙏
Dear Bruce, I have so many flaws that you couldn't imagine and I feel so guilty about, but what I'm doing here is to make the values of love and kindness really to the center of discussion, and if you are here, my friend, you are part of this exactly as I am. With all our flaws, because we are human beings trying to evolve and to find our best, just as the pope was! 💙🙏
Absolutely, LuAnne. In a world when so many of us refrain from trying, especially if we happen to occupy a seat of decision like the pope, he still tried. And this piece was exactly to make everyone sure that Ukraine recognize his attempt, independent of the results, because so many mistakenly (in my opinion) depicts him as an enemy of Ukraine. 💙🙏
Ouch! No, the principal enemy of Ukraine is Putin. On a scale of other foes from Trump (sigh... X-P) to Kim Jong Un, I'd say Francis was at the bottom. :-/
I loved him. We haven’t had a more compassionate pope since the 60’s, even though there was still so
Much dogma. Shout out to my Argentinian friends who welcomed him to their dinner table before he became Pope. He was always humble; that never changed. He brought that to the papacy and that mattered to humanity. ❤️
"He was a man who washed the feet of refugees. Who opened his arms to immigrants.
A man who told the world that wealth is not a virtue. That the value of the human beings is not attached to their net worth. That nature is our sister. That we are all brothers.
That we share a single home. A breathing, fragile, living planet.
He reminded us, again and again, that love has no borders.
And that simplicity is not weakness. It is strength, made quiet."
I stood near window at work late this morning, watching the wind push the clouds and trees, I thought "This place is alive. We are on this amazing living world." Then this evening I read this, thank you Victor.
You reminded me of something from my childhood. I'm not Catholic now, but I was raised Roman Catholic. I well remember going to confession regularly, though, as a preteen, I don't think I really had anything to confess. But I remember that my mother, if given a chance, would always go to one particular priest. Not the pastor - he was a bit pompous and definitely hard to feel close to. No, this man was a quiet, kindly priest, and always welcoming. But what sealed it for my mom was that every single time, after giving absolution, he would quietly say, "please, pray for me." We need more of that humility in the world.
Beautifully and graciously said.
Thank you so much dear Gina. It was hard to write this because because no words could ever fully reach what he truly deserved to be remembered for. 💙🙏
What a gracious memorial.
Thank you Janice, so much 💙🙏
We love you. We support you. We are so ashamed of what 30% of our country voted for and how it impacts you.
Dear Laura, please receive my love in the name of all Ukrainians. No society in the world will ever be unanimous on supporting or condemning a country, but what truly matters is what you believe and how deeply you stand by it. Those who supports Russia may not see clearly now, but truth has way of rising. And when it does, it will speak for itself 💙
I'm so touched by your words and the meaning of them.
Beautiful, gracious words, especially 'But you were good. You were kind. You tried' and that he said sorry about most of his mistakes. Thank you.
Dear friend, when we have good intentions, "trying" is the most important thing to do, and I believe the Pope really tried. Thank you so much💙🙏
This is a beautiful tribute, thank you. Pope Francis wasn’t totally fair to the people of Ukraine, but he was a good and humble man, truly of the people. I am not Catholic but I respected and appreciated him every day.
Thank you Cindy, that was exactly my intention, to remember that he was a man of such greatness that goes beyond his position as a clerical, a religious authority, or even a head of state he was. I am not Catholic either, but many people in Ukraine are, particularly in Lviv and the Western regions of the country. But still, that goes beyond religion, as you perfectly remembered! 💙🙏
Víctor, my Jewish great-grandparents were from a village near Lviv! (Though I’ve tried, I can’t find exactly where they were from before they came to the US in 1902)
Me too; I especially liked his pro-environmental stance (thank you for pointing that out in your wonderful missive, Viktor!). We deeply, deeply need to work together, all of us, to save ourselves and our world before it's too late. War and imperialistic attempts don't do anyone any good, and I hope Trump and Putin finally get that through their thick heads while we still have time. X-P
I just hope the College of Cardinals choose a good 'un and doesn't go back to, say, the head of the Inquisition again -- sorry, the "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith." :-/
He was in a remarkably difficult position and he carried it with grace, dignity, and as much fierceness as the current church would tolerate.
Thank you, Viktor, for your wisdom in recognizing it.
Thank you Hana, it's easy to criticize the pope or other political figures from our position outside of the big circles of power, but while we must keep criticizing, it's fair to recognize that most times things do not depend on their personal actions despite their best intentions. We can't imagine the pressures a man like the pope suffered just because of his position. 💙🙏
You are such an insightful, caring human. A gift to the world and those who share space with you, as well as us with whom you share your thoughts and words.
You have certainly earned the right to criticize the people in power, and despite your horrific circumstances, not unlike the Pope, you are doing it with grace, dignity, and a touch of fierceness.
A most beautiful eulogy. Somewhere, Pope Francis is hearing your words and grateful to have had you as a brother.
Dear Jaye, thank you, if somehow he could hear it, I hope he’d feel the same quiet respect he gave to so many. 💙🙏
He hears. And he loves you like we do.
Beautiful, VIktor.
Thank you dear Emily! I'm glad beyond words.💙🙏
Viktor. Your heartfelt words take my breath away. We will continue to pray for peace and be kind , welcoming and loving humans. After all, we only have each other to lean on.. May God keep you safe and bless your magnificent heart. ❤️ Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦
Really grateful for your words, dear Sheri. I write because I believe that we can still extract kindness from this devastation I see and live around me, and the Pope was more than a symbol of a religion or a church, but someone who embodied everything we so much talk about here, bringing so many wonderful messages like yours (which really warm my heart) 💙🙏
SLAVA UKRAINI!!! 💙 💛 🇺🇦 💙 💛 🇺🇦
Thank you for that post, Viktor. You area better man than I.
Dear Bruce, I have so many flaws that you couldn't imagine and I feel so guilty about, but what I'm doing here is to make the values of love and kindness really to the center of discussion, and if you are here, my friend, you are part of this exactly as I am. With all our flaws, because we are human beings trying to evolve and to find our best, just as the pope was! 💙🙏
I agree with every word, my brother.
Yes. Francis often failed when we needed stronger words and actions but he kept trying. He kept trying to do better. Can we ask any more of any human?
Absolutely, LuAnne. In a world when so many of us refrain from trying, especially if we happen to occupy a seat of decision like the pope, he still tried. And this piece was exactly to make everyone sure that Ukraine recognize his attempt, independent of the results, because so many mistakenly (in my opinion) depicts him as an enemy of Ukraine. 💙🙏
Ouch! No, the principal enemy of Ukraine is Putin. On a scale of other foes from Trump (sigh... X-P) to Kim Jong Un, I'd say Francis was at the bottom. :-/
I loved him. We haven’t had a more compassionate pope since the 60’s, even though there was still so
Much dogma. Shout out to my Argentinian friends who welcomed him to their dinner table before he became Pope. He was always humble; that never changed. He brought that to the papacy and that mattered to humanity. ❤️
John XXIII died before I was born, but from everything I've heard about him, I miss him. :-/
May the next fellow (doubt there'll be a Pope Joan ever again... :-/) be a light, lovely reformer like him, but last longer. :)
"He was a man who washed the feet of refugees. Who opened his arms to immigrants.
A man who told the world that wealth is not a virtue. That the value of the human beings is not attached to their net worth. That nature is our sister. That we are all brothers.
That we share a single home. A breathing, fragile, living planet.
He reminded us, again and again, that love has no borders.
And that simplicity is not weakness. It is strength, made quiet."
I stood near window at work late this morning, watching the wind push the clouds and trees, I thought "This place is alive. We are on this amazing living world." Then this evening I read this, thank you Victor.
You reminded me of something from my childhood. I'm not Catholic now, but I was raised Roman Catholic. I well remember going to confession regularly, though, as a preteen, I don't think I really had anything to confess. But I remember that my mother, if given a chance, would always go to one particular priest. Not the pastor - he was a bit pompous and definitely hard to feel close to. No, this man was a quiet, kindly priest, and always welcoming. But what sealed it for my mom was that every single time, after giving absolution, he would quietly say, "please, pray for me." We need more of that humility in the world.
So beautifully written. Thank you. I read you every day.
Such a beautiful and honest response Viktor. Thank you