Peace in Ukraine cannot be delayed, Pope urges

On Sunday, Pope Leo called for peace in Ukraine and stressed that ending the four-year conflict "cannot be postponed." He did so during his weekly address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after Sunday prayers.

Russia, which launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, used drones, ballistic missiles, and guided missiles in the latest nighttime attacks, according to the Ukrainian army and local officials. The Pope spoke of a "dramatic situation," the number of victims, broken lives and families, as well as destruction and suffering.

The United States is trying to mediate negotiations, but progress is stalling. Russia is demanding that Ukraine withdraw from parts of eastern Donbas that it still controls, which Kyiv refuses to do.

"Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent need that must find space in our hearts and be transformed into responsible decisions," the Pope noted. He described the war as a wound to the entire human family, leaving death, destruction, and pain that will mark entire generations.

(reuters, max)