Pope Calls for End to Attacks on Civilians

Pope Leo XIV called on Sunday for an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, drawing attention to the growing number of civilian casualties on both sides.

Speaking to the faithful gathered for the Angelus prayer, he also called for compliance with international humanitarian law.

“Tragic incidents are multiplying, causing an ever-growing number of civilian victims, including children”, the pope said, calling for a halt to attacks on civilian targets on both sides.

According to UN data, more than 16,000 civilians have been killed during the nearly four-and-a-half-year war, with the vast majority of the victims being Ukrainians. In July, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that the number of civilians killed and injured in Ukraine rose by more than a third in the first half of the year, one reason being the growing number of drone attacks.

At the same time, Kyiv is carrying out drone attacks on Russian territory. The most recent attacks have resulted in casualties on both sides. Eight people were injured in a Russian attack on Odesa, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

According to local authorities, five people were killed in a nighttime Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod. Both Russia and Ukraine deny that they intentionally target civilians.

(Reuters, mja)