Pope Francis has made an impassioned plea for an end to the killing in Ukraine.
Speaking after the Angelus, as Putin’s forces continued their advance on the capital Kyiv, Pope Francis said: “This week the city that bears its name, Mariupol, has become a martyr city of the harrowing war that is ravaging Ukraine.
“In the face of the barbarism of the killing of children, innocent people and defenceless civilians, there are no strategic reasons that hold: the unacceptable armed aggression has only to be stopped, before it reduces the cities to cemeteries.
“With pain in my heart, I join my voice to that of ordinary people, who are begging for an end to the war. In the name of God, hear the cry of those who suffer and put an end to the bombings and attacks.
“Focus on negotiation truly and decisively, and the humanitarian corridors effective and safe. In the name of God, I ask you: stop this slaughter!”
He also urged the acceptance of refugees, of which around 2.6 million have already fled Ukraine. Pope Francis said Christ was present in the refugees and asked all diocesan and religious communities to step up their prayers for peace. “God is only God of peace, he is not God of war, and those who support violence profane his name. Now we pray in silence for those who suffer and for God to convert hearts to a firm will for peace.”
Meanwhile, Vatican secretary of state Cardinal Pietro Parolin said in an interview with Vatican News that the war had changed the face of the world.
“In the face of what is happening in Ukraine, many people are talking about rearmament: New and huge sums of money are being allocated to armaments, the logic of war seems to prevail, the distance between nations is increasing,” he said.
“War is madness, it must be stopped. We ask, appealing to the consciences of all, that the fighting cease immediately.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the invasion of Ukraine is a military operation, not a war.
Cardinal Parolin said: “Words are important, and to define what is happening in Ukraine as a military operation is to fail to recognise the reality of the facts. We are facing a war.”
Loading ...
