Pope Francis holds the Ukrainian flag, which was sent to him from the city of Bucha during a weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on April 6. (Remo Casillas / Reuters)
Pope Francis has condemned the killing of civilians in the Kiev suburb of Bucha by Russian troops and has renewed his call for an end to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, the pope called for an end to the “atrocities” observed in Bucha, where the bodies of civilians were found scattered in the streets.
“Even more horrific atrocities are taking place, even against civilians, women and children. “They are victims whose innocent blood cries to heaven and begs,” he said.
Russia has repeatedly denied the alleged atrocities, although growing evidence suggests otherwise. In response to accusations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the UN Security Council on Tuesday, Russian Ambassador to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called the accusations against the Russian military “baseless.”
The pope has joined a group of Ukrainian refugee children: the pope has continued to unfurl a Ukrainian flag that he says “comes from the martyrdom city of Bucha” and kissed him. This move was received with loud applause from the audience.
Francis then invited a group of about a dozen Ukrainian children who are now refugees in Italy to come on stage with him.
“These children had to flee and came to a foreign land. This is one of the fruits of war. “Let’s not forget them and let’s not forget the Ukrainian people,” he said.
Francis also sharply criticized the failures of international organizations to end the war in Ukraine.
“After the Second World War, an attempt was made to lay the foundations for a new era of peace. But, unfortunately, the old story of competition between the great powers continued. And in the current war in Ukraine, we are witnessing the powerlessness of international organizations. “
A bit of background: Although the pope has not yet visited Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, he told reporters on April 2 that the trip was “on the table”.
Francis’ comments to his general audience on Wednesday reflected his previous demonstrations in support of Ukrainian refugees and calls for an end to the war.
On March 19, Francis visited 19 Ukrainian refugee children at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital in Rome, Italy. They received treatment for cancer and neurological diseases, among others, as well as severe injuries from explosions, said then Vatican press director Matteo Bruni.
“Enough. Stop it. Leave the weapons silent. Negotiate seriously for peace, “Francis said in late March during his weekly address to Angelus.
“War cannot be inevitable. We cannot get used to war,” he added.
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