Pope reiterates the need to make "every effort" to end the war in Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
Pope Francis reiterated the need to make "every effort" to mediate and negotiate to end the "bloody conflicts" in Ukraine and Gaza.
Pope Francis has once again called for a negotiated peace, expressing his condolences over the "bloody conflicts" in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. He said this at his weekly audience on Wednesday, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.
"We must never forget that war is always a defeat, we cannot continue the war, we must make every effort to mediate, to negotiate an end to the war, let us pray for it," the pontiff said in a short speech after the audience, citing "martyred" Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Earlier in March, Pope Francis, speaking about the war unleashed by Russia, said that Ukraine should have what he called the courage of the "white flag" and negotiate.
Later, Vatican press director Matteo Bruni explained that Pope Francis declared a "white flag" expressing hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, referring to Ukraine as a country that has always been a "martyr.
The Kremlin once again speculated on the Pope's statement, with the Russians saying they were ready for talks, but Kyiv allegedly opposed a diplomatic solution to the situation.
Ukraine expressed its disappointment with Pope Francis' statement about the demonstration of the "white flag" and negotiations with Russia, the aggressor, emphasizing the need for a just peace based on the principles of the UN and the Ukrainian Peace Formula.
