“I deeply regret the serious situation that has arisen in the last few days, with further measures to counter this principles of international law. In fact, it increases the Danger of a nuclear escalationto fear uncontrollable consequences and catastrophic worldwide”. It’s the strong call for peace within Ukraine the Pope Francis addressed toAngel recited with the faithful present in St. Peter’s Square. Bergoglio wanted to devote the entire reflection that precedes the Marian prayer to this theme, without commenting on the Sunday Gospel as a settled practice. “The course of the war in Ukraine – declared the Pope – has become so serious, devastating and threatening that it causes great concern. For this reason I want to dedicate to you today the entire reflection before the Angelus. In fact, this terrible and unimaginable wound of humanityinstead of healing itself, it bleeds more and more and risks dilating”.
Francis, who has been accused on several occasions of not being equally distant at different stages of the war in Ukraine, reached out to both leaders involved in the ongoing conflict. Wladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who are proving once again that they are close to their people and are committed exclusively to peace. Also to avoid one religious war with the Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, which has always supported the conflict in Ukraine.
“My appeal – said the Pope – is addressed first of all to the President of the Russian Federation, asking him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also out of love for his people. On the other hand, saddened by the tremendous suffering of the Ukrainian people after the aggression suffered, I make an equally confident appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious peace proposals. To all protagonists of international life and AI political leaders of nations I insist that they do everything in their power to end the ongoing war without resolving it involved in dangerous escalations, as well as to promote and support dialogue initiatives. Please – added Francis – let the younger generations breathe the healthy air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness! Appeal to all after seven months of hostility Diplomatic tools, including the ones that may not have been used so far, to end this terrible tragedy. The war itself is an error and a horror”.
“I am struck – continued Bergoglio – by the torrents of blood and tears that have been shed in recent months. I am saddened by the thousands of victims, especially children, and by the many destructions that have left many people and families homeless and threaten vast areas with cold and hunger. Certain actions can never be justified, never! It is disturbing that the world learns the geography of Ukraine through names like Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Isium, Zaporizhia and other places that have become places of indescribable suffering and fear. And what about the fact that humanity is once again facing it nuclear threat? Is absurd. What else should happen? How much more blood must spill because we understand that war is never a solution, only destruction? In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my appeal so that the armistice. Keep your guns still and look for the conditions to start negotiations that can lead to this Solutions that are not imposed by force, but agreed, fair and stable. And such they will be – concluded the Pope – if they are based on respect for the inviolable value of human life and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, as well as the rights of minorities and legitimate concerns.