Pope Francis | Catholic News Service via Diocese of Grand Rapids/Facebook

The Diocese of Scranton will join Pope Francis in consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary later this week.

“On Friday, March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation, our Holy Father Pope Francis will be consecrating Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at noon, Eastern Standard Time,” a post on the diocese’s Facebook page says. 

He has also invited bishops throughout the world, together with their priests, to join in this act of consecration, at the same time,” the post continued. “Bishop Joseph C. Bambera will join Pope Francis and other Bishops around the world in offering the Prayer of Consecration - when he celebrates the 12:10 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Scranton. The faithful are invited and encouraged to attend in person.”

Pope Francis announced last week on Twitter that he will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary during a ceremony this Friday. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has been steadily attacking since from multiple fronts, CNBC reported. In light of the ongoing conflict, Pope Francis selected Friday as the day to do it because that day marks the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. 

When Pope Francis announced his plans, he invited bishops the world over to join him in the consecration ceremony, Vatican News reported. Pope Francis will perform the consecration at St. Peter's Basilica beginning at 5 p.m. Vatican time.

Mary asked for Russia to be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart when Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, during World War I. She warned that if it weren't, "Russia would spread 'its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecution of the Church,'" Vatican News asserts. Russia has been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times since then, including in 1952 and 1964.