Illustration photo – Pope Francis in the Vatican on February 22, 2023.
Rome – Today, Pope Francis called the war in Ukraine cruel and senseless. Two days before the first anniversary of the Russian troops' invasion of Ukraine, he again called for a ceasefire and negotiations, Reuters reported.
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At today's general audience, the weekly meeting of the head of the Catholic Church with the faithful, Pope Francis said that February 24 – when the war in Ukraine began – is a sad anniversary and that he himself “stands close to the martyred Ukrainian people”.
“I appeal to all those in power to come forward with concrete commitments to end the conflict, reach a ceasefire and start peace negotiations,” he said. “A victory built on ruins will never be a real victory,” he added.
This afternoon, the Pope will preside over the Mass for Ash Wednesday in Rome, which begins the forty-day fast before Easter.
