VATICAN (CNS): Pope Francis did not offer his customary commentary on the day’s gospel reading before reciting the Angelus prayer on October 2. Instead, in his most direct remarks yet, he focused on Russia’s war on Ukraine and begged Russian president, Vladimir Putin: “Stop this spiral of violence and death.”
With the situation being “so serious, devastating and threatening,” and “rivers of blood and tears” still flowing and with the increasing threat of the use of nuclear weapons, the pope lamented the “terrible and inconceivable wound” it is inflicting on humanity.
While constantly calling for peace and offering prayers for the victims since the war began in late February, the pope drew attention in his talk to “the serious situation that has arisen in recent days with further actions contrary to the principles of international law,” a clear reference to Putin’s announcement on September 30 that Russia was annexing four occupied territories in Ukraine.
The decision, the pope told people in St. Peter’s Square, “increases the risk of nuclear escalation to the point of fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.”
My appeal is addressed first of all to the president of the Russian Federation, begging him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his people
Pope Francis
He said, “My appeal is addressed first of all to the president of the Russian Federation, begging him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his people.”
But “saddened by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression suffered,” Pope Francis also appealed to Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “to be open” to any “serious peace proposals.”
The pope also asked world leaders “to do everything in their power to put an end to the ongoing war, without allowing themselves to be drawn into dangerous escalations, and to promote and support initiatives for dialogue.”
While remembering Ukraine’s “thousands of victims,” including children, the destruction and the displacement of millions of people, Pope Francis also spoke of specifics.
“Some actions can never be justified. Never!” the pope said.
In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire
Pope Francis
“It’s distressing that the world is learning the geography of Ukraine through names like Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhzhia and other towns that have become places of suffering and indescribable fear,” the pope said, referring to cities previously occupied by Russian troops and where mass graves were found once the areas were liberated.
“And what about the fact that humanity is once again faced with the atomic threat?” the pope asked. “It is absurd.”
The pope asked, “How much blood still must flow before we understand that war is never a solution, only destruction?”
He said, “In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire.”
Pope Francis prayed for a negotiated settlement of the conflict, one that is “not imposed by force, but agreed, just and stable.”
How much blood still must flow before we understand that war is never a solution, only destruction?
Pope Francis
A just solution, he said, must be “based on respect for the sacred value of human life, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, and the rights of minorities and legitimate concerns.”
In related news, Ukrainian forces liberated the city of Lyman, a key logistics hub in the Donetsk region. Vatican News reported that Ukrainian soldiers were seen praying while Russian flags were removed.
Media also reported onOctober 5 that Ukrainian forces had pushed closer toward the Russian-occupied city of Kherson,
Fides reported that the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Russia reacted to the partial mobilisation called by Putin, noting on September 28 that the conflict in Ukraine, “has undermined trust and unity between countries and peoples and threatens the existence of the whole.”
The statement said, “War has never been nor will it be a means of solving problems between nations; “Nothing is lost with peace, everything can be lost with war” [Pius XII, 1939].
Citing Pope Francis, it said, “the only way out is peace and the only way to reach it is through dialogue.” [see page 5 for more on the Russian bishops]
