VATICAN CITY –  In reference to the threat of Russia declaring war on Ukraine, Pope Francis said, "I entrust every effort for peace to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and to the conscience of the political leaders."

 "The news coming from Ukraine is very worrying" said the pontiff at the end of his weekly Sunday Angelus and asked those present to pray in silence.

 The Ukrainian crisis, with 130,000 Russian soldiers reported to be approaching the border, continues to cause global concern. People are evacuating Kiev, including Italians citizens who are also returning home.

 Apparently the situation on the ground in Ukraine's capital is still calm. A researcher from Turin who returned home from Kiev on Sunday told Il Messaggero, "there is no panic, there is much more outside [of Ukraine]. Many call or write to ask how things are going, but for now everything is calm in the country."

 The Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio may go to Kiev in the next day or two.

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