Pope Francis on Wednesday asked all parties involved in the Ukraine crisis to “examine their consciences before God” and “refrain from actions that cause more suffering to populations and discredit international law.”
Francis made this appeal during the Wednesday general audience held in the Paul VI hall before thousands of faithful and expressed his “great pain in his heart for the worsening of the situation in Ukraine.”
“Despite the diplomatic efforts of recent weeks, increasingly alarming scenarios are opening up,” Francis said, adding that both he and many people are feeling “anguish and concern.”
“Once again, the peace of all is threatened by the interests of a few,” he added.
Francis called on political leaders “to examine their conscience before God, who is the God of peace and not of war, God who wants us brothers and not enemies.”
“I pray that all parties involved will refrain from any actions that cause further suffering to populations and discredit international law,” he said.
He also exhorted that “in the face of the diabolical folly of violence” “the weapons of God” resonate, announcing for next March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and prayer for peace.
“May the Queen of Heaven preserve the world from the madness of war,” Francis added.
The crisis has worsened after the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, recognized this Monday during a speech to the nation the self-proclaimed separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (this Ukrainian) and began a military deployment to those territories.
This is a new appeal from the pope in the face of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, after the one on February 13, when he had already demanded from world leaders “every effort” possible to guarantee peace in Ukraine. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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