Pope Leo XIV has said he is” sadly “following the continuation of Russian strikes on Ukraine and called for a “just and lasting peace”.
“It is with sadness that I follow the news of the strikes that continue to take place in numerous Ukrainian cities, particularly in Kiev. These attacks cause deaths and injuries, particularly to children, and cause serious damage to civilian infrastructure, leaving families homeless as the cold weather sets in,” the pope said in a message on social network X. At the same time, the message does not specify who is behind the strikes on Ukrainian cities.
Leo XIV noted his solidarity with Ukrainians and called “not to get used to war and destruction”. “Let us pray together for a just and lasting peace in war-torn Ukraine,” the pontiff added.
In July, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Pope Leo XIV said he was ready to receive representatives of Ukraine and Russia at the Vatican for talks.
However, Russian representatives said that they did not consider the Vatican a neutral venue for talks because it is located inside Italy, a country that is a member of NATO and openly supports Ukraine.
Earlier, the Pope, reacting to another Russian attacks on Ukraine, called for “stopping the war and supporting any initiative for dialogue and peace”.