Ukraine: "In the name of God, stop this massacre"
Remembering the victims of Ukraine, Pope Francis has made another heartfelt appeal for a ceasefire in the war-torn nation.
At the conclusion of the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis recalled that the faithful had just prayed to the Virgin Mary, as the city that bears her name, Mariupol, has "become a city of martyrs in the terrible war ravaging Ukraine".
The Pope expressed horror over the barbarity of the killing of children, innocents and unarmed civilians, and called for an end to the unacceptable armed aggression, before it reduces cities to cemeteries.
"With pain in my heart, I join my voice to that of the common people, who implore an end to the war," he said.
In the name of God, let the cries of those who suffer be heard and let the bombings and attacks cease. Let there be a real and decisive focus on negotiation, and let the humanitarian corridors be effective and safe. In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre.
For the followers of Jesus, now is not a time for sleeping, for letting our souls be sedated. One of the great tragedies of our time is the refusal to open our eyes to reality and instead to look the other way.
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Pope Francis
Booklet of messages from Pope Francis (PDF 830.5KB)