Pope Francis has again called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, citing fears of escalation and a nuclear threat during his weekly Sunday Mass.
The Pope addressed the President of the Russian Federation:
"In the name of God, in the name of humanity, I again appeal for an immediate ceasefire. My appeal is directed mainly to the President of the Russian Federation, I am begging him to stop for love of his people," the Pope said in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome this morning.
He also called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi to be "open to serious peace proposals."
Pope Francis condemned Russia's new annexation of Ukrainian territories, called for respect for the territorial value and rights of minorities, and expressed pain over the numerous victims, including many children.
"The course of the war in Ukraine has become so serious, devastating and threatening that it causes great concern. Therefore, today I want to devote all my thoughts to this topic before the "Angel of the Lord" prayer. In fact, this terrible and incredible wound of humanity, instead of healing, continues to bleed even more, threatening to widen.
I am deeply troubled by the rivers of blood and tears shed during these months. I am saddened by the thousands of victims, especially among children, and the great destruction that has left many people and families without homes, bringing the threat of cold and hunger to large areas.
Certain actions can never be justified! Never! It is terrible that the world studies the geography of Ukraine through such names as Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izyum, Zaporizhzhia and other areas that have become places of unspeakable suffering and fear. What can we say about the fact that the world is again facing a nuclear threat? This is absurd.
What else has to happen? How much more blood must be spilled to understand that war is never a solution, only destruction? In the name of God and in the name of the feeling of humanity that lives in every heart, I repeat the call to immediately achieve a ceasefire. Let the guns fall silent and let's look for the conditions to start negotiations that can lead to solutions that are not imposed by force, but are agreed, fair and stable", - said the Pope.
Francis urges all active figures in international life and political leaders of countries to do everything in their power to put an end to the ongoing war.
