In a unprecedented move, reflecting his profound concern on the danger of an escalation of the seven-month-old war in Ukraine and the potential use of nuclear arms, Pope Francis called today for “a direct ceasefire” to that war.
He called on the president of the Russian Federation “to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people.” It was the primary time that he has publicly appealed to the Russian president, though observing protocol he didn’t call Vladimir Putin by name but quite by his official role as head of state.
He also called on the Ukrainian president “to be open to serious proposals for peace.” He didn’t call Volodymyr Zelenzky by name either.
Reflecting his profound concern on the danger of an escalation of the war in Ukraine and the potential use of nuclear arms, Pope Francis called today for “a direct ceasefire” to that war.
His appeal is critical as diplomatic sources and international observers all agree that neither president is prepared at this moment to make peace. Mr. Putin desires to consolidate his territorial gains—already greater than 15 percent of Ukraine—while Mr. Zelensky has regained the initiative and recaptured much territory in a major counter-offensive with assistance from arms from the USA and European countries in NATO.
Aware that the 2 countries won’t make peace without pressure from other states, Pope Francis today appealed “to all of the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of countries to do every little thing possible to bring an end to the war, without allowing themselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to advertise and support initiatives for dialogue.”
He also denounced last Friday’s annexation by Russia of 4 parts of Ukraine as a violation of international law, making clear the Vatican doesn’t recognize this illegal act. “I deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law,” the pope said. “It increases the chance of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.”
Pope Francis called on the president of the Russian Federation “to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people.”
Francis devoted his entire address on the midday Sunday Angelus to the war in Ukraine. Normally, he gives a mirrored image on the Gospel reading of the day before commenting on situations all over the world, but today he broke with this tradition since the war in Ukraine has escalated to a recent and intensely dangerous level with the annexation of Ukrainian lands by Mr. Putin last Friday.
Francis began by saying, “The course of the war in Ukraine has change into so serious, devastating and threatening, as to cause great concern.” He said, “This terrible and inconceivable wound to humanity, as an alternative of healing, continues to shed much more blood, risking to spread further.
“I’m deeply saddened by the rivers of blood and tears spilled in these months. I’m saddened by the 1000’s of victims, especially children, and the destruction which has left many individuals and families homeless and threatens vast territories with cold and hunger,” he said.
“Certain actions can never be justified,” Francis said, alluding to the atrocities committed by the Russian forces through the past seven months. He said, “It’s disturbing that the world is learning the geography of Ukraine through names resembling Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhzhya and other areas, which have change into places of indescribable suffering and fear.”
“Certain actions can never be justified,” Francis said, alluding to the atrocities committed by the Russian forces through the past seven months.
Then, turning to the true threat of nuclear war, hinted at by President Putin and other Russian leaders in recent days, Pope Francis said, “And what in regards to the indisputable fact that humanity is once more faced with the atomic threat? It’s absurd.”
He asked: “What’s to occur next? How much blood must still flow for us to comprehend that war is rarely an answer, only destruction? Within the name of God and within the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for a direct ceasefire.”
He appealed, “Let there be a halt to arms, and allow us to seek the conditions for negotiations that can result in solutions that are usually not imposed by force, but consensual, just and stable. And so they might be so in the event that they are based on respect for the sacrosanct value of human life, in addition to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country, and the rights of minorities and legit concerns.”
Denouncing the annexation of Ukrainian lands decreed by Mr. Putin last Friday, the pope said, “I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. It increases the chance of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.”
“I address an equally confident appeal to the president of Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace.”
Speaking on the 221st day of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, Pope Francis, turning to Mr. Zelensky, said: “Profoundly saddened on the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people in consequence of the aggression they’ve suffered, I address an equally confident appeal to the president of Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace.” Francis has spoken publicly almost 100 times on this war and has spoken by phone with Mr. Zelensky.
Pope Francis’ final appeal was to world leaders at national and international level. “I urge all of the protagonists of international life and the political leaders of countries to do every little thing possible to bring an end to the war, without allowing themselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to advertise and support initiatives for dialogue,” he said.
He urged them, “Please let the younger generations breathe the salutary air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness!
“After seven months of hostilities,” he said, “allow us to use all diplomatic means, even those that won’t have been used to this point, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War in itself is an error and a horror!”
Pope Francis concluded his appeal by inviting pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square and believers worldwide to hope for peace and an end to this war. He said, “Allow us to trust within the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and within the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, as we raise our Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, spiritually united with the faithful gathered at her shrine and in so many parts of the world.”
