Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of Catholics, has called for an end to violence in Ukraine and a diplomatic solution.
In his Sunday Mass speech today, the Pope, 85, reiterated his call to the country’s leaders as destruction, death and fighting escalates, saying, “Please do not lead humanity to destruction.”
The Argentine Pope called on both sides of the conflict, saying;
“Let there be real and concrete negotiations for a ceasefire and a sustainable solution. Listen to the helpless cry of the people who are suffering. May respect for human life prevail, and the terrible destruction of cities and villages stop. Please let us continue to pray and remain tirelessly committed to peace.”
The Pope did not pronounce Russia’s name, as he has done in the past.
The Vatican has wanted to mediate between Russia and Ukraine since the war began on February 24.
Yesterday, Pope Francis reiterated that he wanted to visit Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, but was waiting for the right time.
At an event where he met with about 160 elementary school children of all religions, the Pope said,
A boy named Sachar, a Ukrainian refugee, said, “I don’t have a question, I have more of a request: Can you go to Ukraine now to save all the children who suffered there?”
In response, the Pope said, “I think a lot about the children in Ukraine. I sent some Cardinals there to help and to be close to all the people, but above all to the children. I want to go to Ukraine. “But to do that, I have to wait for the right time because it’s not easy to make a decision that could do more harm than good to the whole world.”
