Pope's appeal during the Angelus for an
immediate ceasefire in Ukraine
.
Francis asks Russian President Putin to stop the spiral of violence and death, and Ukrainian President Zelensky to be open to serious peace proposals.
"My appeal is addressed first of all to the President of the Russian Federation - affirms the pope -, begging him to stop, also for the love of his people, this spiral of violence and death. On the other hand, saddened by the immense suffering of the population. Ukrainian following the aggression suffered, I direct an equally confident appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious peace proposals ".
"I renew my appeal - explained Francis - so that a ceasefire can be reached immediately:
the arms are silent and the conditions are sought to arrive at negotiations
capable of leading to solutions not imposed by force but agreed, just, stable, and such they will be based on respect for the sacrosanct value of life as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each country, as well as the rights of minorities and legitimate concerns ".
"I deeply regret the serious situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. In fact, it increases the risk of a nuclear escalation, to the point of causing fear of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences on a world level", the pope underlined.