Pope Francis on Sunday described the war in Ukraine as a “macabre regression of humanity” that makes him “suffer and cry”, calling for humanitarian corridors to evacuate people trapped in the Mariupol steelworks.
Speaking to thousands of people in St Peter’s Square for his noon blessing, Francis again implicitly criticised Russia.
In Roman Catholicism, the month of May is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. Francis asked for month-long prayers for peace in Ukraine.
Francis, 85, has not specifically mentioned Russia or its president, Vladimir Putin, since the start of the conflict on February 24, but he has left little doubt which side he has criticised, using terms such as unjustified aggression and invasion and lamenting atrocities against civilians.
“I suffer and cry thinking of the suffering of the Ukrainian population, in particular the weakest, the elderly, the children,” he said, mentioning “terrible news of children who are being expelled and deported”.
Moscow terms its action in Ukraine a “special operation” to demilitarise and “denazify” its neighbour. Ukraine and the West say this is a baseless pretext for war.
Francis called for safe humanitarian corridors for those in the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, where troops and civilians are sheltering. He also questioned if everything possible was being done to bring about an end to the fighting through dialogue.
Source: IOL
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In the background, the mother of four can be heard saying. Learn more
