KYIV. Feb 16 (Interfax) - A total of 200,000 euros will be provided for the need of residents of Avdiivka from the fund of the Pope for Ukraine initiative, Pavlo Zhebrivsky, the head of the Donetsk region's military-civilian administration, said following the visits by
Apostolic Nuncio Claudio Gugerotti to Kramatorsk and Avdiivka.
"The Vatican ambassador came to the frontline to personally express support and solidarity for the residents of the Donetsk region, and also to give them blessings from Pope Francis," Zhebrivsky said on Facebook.
"Ukraine is a big country and what is important is that you should cherish the feeling of love for each other, solidarity and mutual respect, regardless of whether someone loves you or not. And you showed it very well to the whole world that you can do that on Maidan three years ago," Gugerotti said, according to Zhebrivsky.
Zhebrivsky said Pope Francis had declared a fundraiser for the people of Ukraine last year. Sixteen million euros were then raised in Europe. "Pope Francis personally gave five million euros in support of Ukrainians," he said.
He said Gugerotti had come to Kramatorsk after visiting Avdiivka.