The Archdiocese of Chicago invites the faithful to attend a special Mass to pray for the safety of journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine.

"Join Fr. Manuel Dorantes as he celebrates a special Mass for Journalists Covering the War in Ukraine and their Families at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, at @SaintMaryOftheLake; 4220 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago," the archdiocese said in a Facebook post this week. "Join us in prayer if you can. #prayersforpeace #peaceinUkraine."

Russian military forces invaded Ukraine approximately five weeks ago, a Thursday AP News report said. Since that time, Moscow has been mounting ground and air attacks against the country. Over 4 million people have fled Ukraine due to the conflict. 

A number of journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine have been killed, a report this week by RSF said. Pierre Zakrzewski and Olexandra Kuvshynova, two Fox News reporters, were killed by artillery fire on March 14. Brent Renaud, an American documentary filmmaker, was shot in the back of the neck as he drove near Kyiv on March 13. 

"Join me this upcoming Sunday as we join in prayer for the journalists covering the war in Ukraine and their families," Dorantes tweeted this week. "Through their courageous work we are able to understand what is really happening on the ground." 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that intentionally targeting civilians or journalists would be equivalent to a war crime, a recent report by The Hill said.