Pope Francis will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What had been a request of many faithful and pastors in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine will take place on Friday, March 25, feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, during the Celebration of Penance that the Holy Father will preside at 5 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica.
"The same act, on the same day, will be carried out in Fatima by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, pontifical almoner, as envoy of the Holy Father." This was the announcement made by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni.
This consecration stems from Our Lady's own request during her apparition of July 13, 1917 at Fatima, in which she asked for the consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, stating that, if this request were not granted, Russia would spread "its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecutions of the Church."
After the apparitions of Fatima there were several acts of consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Pius XII, on October 31, 1942, consecrated the whole world and on July 7, 1952, he consecrated the peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the Apostolic Letter Sacro vergente anno.
On November 21, 1964, Paul VI renewed the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart in the presence of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council.
The consecration of St. John Paul II
Pope John Paul II made a special consecration during the Holy Year of the Redemption in the act of entrustment on June 7, 1981, repeated in Fatima on May 13, 1982. Two years later, on March 25, 1984, in St. Peter's Square, in spiritual union with all the Bishops of the world, previously "summoned", John Paul II entrusted all peoples to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
It would be this solemn and universal act of consecration which, in line with the letter of the visionary Sister Lucia corresponding to what became known as the third secret of Fatima and which was made public in the year 2000, had responded to the request of Our Lady in her apparition to the shepherds: "Yes, it was done," said the visionary, "just as Our Lady had asked, on March 25, 1984".
