Pope Francis caresses a child as he makes a tour of St. Peter's Square at the end of a Mass for the the Holy Year of Mercy, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Francis has announced a special collection to help people in Ukraine suffering amid conflict "who thirst for peace and reconciliation."
The pontiff told the faithful Sunday following a Holy Year Mass that Roman Catholic parishes in Europe will hold a special collection on April 24 as a "humanitarian initiative of support," noting that the elderly and children were the most impacted by the violence in eastern Ukraine.
Fighting between Russia-backed separatists and government troops in eastern Ukraine has killed more than 9,100 people since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
Francis also noted that Monday is the international day against land mines, saying "too many people are killed or mutilated by these terrible weapons, while brave women and men are risking their lives to clear land mines."
Faithful and tourists photograph Pope Francis as he makes a tour of St. Peter's Square at the end of a Mass for the the Holy Year of Mercy, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis is assisted as he walks down the steps after celebrating a Mass for the Holy Year of Mercy, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis makes a point as he delivers his message during a Divine Mercy vigil prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Saturday, April 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Nuns pray as they wait for Pope Francis to arrive to celebrate a Mass for the Holy Year of Mercy, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis leaves to make a tour of St. Peter's Square at the end of a Mass for the the Holy Year of Mercy, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 3, 2016. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Associated Press