At audience, pope says he prays for Ukrainians facing uncertainty

Published: 2004-11-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II said he was praying for Ukrainians facing turbulence and uncertainty following hotly contested presidential elections. At his weekly general audience at the Vatican Nov. 24, the pope assured a group of Ukrainians present "and all the Ukrainian people that in these days I pray particularly for your beloved country." The pope was referring to the turmoil in Ukraine after nearly complete election results gave victory to the Russian-backed candidate for president. Western observers said the elections were tainted by massive voting fraud. A few dozen Ukrainians waving blue and yellow flags cheered enthusiastically at the pope's comments. On some of the flags hung a strip of orange cloth. Orange is the color associated with supporters of Viktor Yushchenko, the pro-Western candidate who disputes the unofficial results that assign victory to Viktor A. Yanukovych in the Nov. 21 election. Some Ukrainians held a banner reading, "Yes, Yushchenko."

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