The Pope addressed the strongest challenge to Putin: Such actions can never be justified, never! – New time

Pope Francis called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday to end his “spiral of violence and death” in Ukraine, TASR reports based on a report from the AP agency. This is the strongest appeal of the head of the Catholic Church in the past seven months since the start of the Russian military offensive in Ukraine. The Pope addressed it to Putin at Náměstí sv. Petra and at the same time condemned the “absurd” threat of nuclear war. František also called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be “open” to a serious peace proposal and urged the international community to “use all diplomatic means” to end this “enormous tragedy” and the horror of war. “I am deeply saddened by the floods of blood and tears that have been shed in these months. I am sorry for the thousands of victims, especially children, and the widespread destruction that has left many people and families homeless and threatens large areas with winter and hunger. Such acts can never be justified. , never! It is unfortunate that the world learns about the geography of Ukraine through names like Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporozhye and other places that have become places of indescribable suffering and fear,” the Pope said during the Angelus prayer. “And what about the fact that humanity is once again confronted with a nuclear threat? That is absurd,” he was quoted as saying by the Vatican News portal. František also condemned the Russian annexation of four Ukrainian regions. “I deeply regret the serious situation that has arisen in recent days with further steps contrary to the principles of international law. It increases the threat of nuclear escalation, which raises the fear of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences for the entire world,” he continued. The AFP agency recalls that this was the first case since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when the Argentine Pope addressed Putin directly. František has been trying to open the way for dialogue with Moscow since February and condemns the “cruel and senseless war”.