After hearing that Pope Francis had called on the faithful to fast and pray for peace in Ukraine. Bishop Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix echoed that call on social media.

“Bishop Olmsted joins the Holy Father in asking the faithful to pray and fast for peace in the Ukraine. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us,” was the message the diocese posted on Facebook. 

As tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated into full-blown military action, Pope Francis tweeted for peace. 

"I would like to appeal to those with political responsibilities to make a serious examination of conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, the Father of all, not just of some, who wants us to be brothers and not enemies. #Ukraine #Peace,” Pope Francis wrote recently.

Later that day, during his weekly general audience, the pope called on Catholics to dedicate Ash Wednesday (March 2) as a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine.

"I appeal to all sides to abstain from any action that could provoke more suffering to the populations, destabilizing coexistence among nations and discrediting international law,” he said, according to a report by Reuters.

With Russia firing missiles and sending troops across the border, the situation turned deadly in Ukraine this week. 

“Footage has shown Russian military vehicles and troops entering Ukraine from several border points including Belarus as Moscow-led forces launched a major military assault on Ukraine, with reports of missile strikes and explosions in major cities," Newsweek reported early Thursday. Before Russia's military vehicles entered Ukraine, Russia had conducted airstrikes against Ukrainian military units, as well as areas including Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Ukraine responded with calls to help it persevere.

"We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted Thursday. In subsequent tweets, he likened Russia’s “treacherous” actions to those of Nazi Germany.

One of Russia’s targets appears to be the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which reported a meltdown in in the mid-1980s. 

"Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe,” Zelensky tweeted.