Bishops Thomas Olmsted and Eduardo Nevares will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday at the same time as Pope Francis.

"Join Bishop Olmsted and Bishop Nevares in prayer on Friday, March 25, at 9 a.m., the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as they unite with Pope Francis, bishops and priests around the world in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary," a post on the Diocese of Phoenix's Facebook page said.

Pope Francis recently tweeted that he would consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Friday. 

When Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, she specifically asked for Russia to be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart, a report on VaticanNews.va said. She warned that if it wasn't, "Russia would spread 'its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecution of the Church.'" Russia has since been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times, including in 1952 and 1964.

Pope Francis selected the date of March 25 because it is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. 

The Russian military invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been mounting attacks against the country from the north, south and east, a recent CNBC.com report said. 

Pope Francis has invited all bishops everywhere to join him in the consecration, a Vatican News release said. He will perform the consecration beginning at 5 p.m. Vatican time at St. Peter's Basilica.