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

The Diocese of Grand Rapids has accepted an invitation from the pope and will consecrate Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday at the same time as Pope Francis.

“The Diocese of Grand Rapids will join Pope Francis in the Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the feast of the Annunciation, March 25,” the diocese said in a Facebook post. “Bishop (David John) Walkowiak will lead the Act of Consecration locally in conjunction with the celebration of Mass at 12 p.m. (noon) at Immaculate Heart of Mary - Grand Rapids. Please join us in person, or via livestream on our Facebook.” 

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

When Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, she asked for Russia to be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart. She warned that if it weren't, "Russia would spread its errors throughout the world, promoting wars and persecution of the Church,'" Vatican News says in an article. Russia has been consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary several times since then, including in 1952 and 1964. Pope Francis selected this Friday as the date because it is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord.

The Russian military invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and has since been attacking the country from multiple directions, CNBC reported. 

Pope Francis has invited bishops from around the world to join him in the consecration, Vatican News reported. Pope Francis will perform the consecration at St. Peter's Basilica beginning at 5 p.m. in his time zone.