The news of the fall of missiles on Polish territory, therefore in the NATO area, distresses Pope Francis, who calls for a halt to "every possible escalation" in the Ukrainian conflict and the rapid recourse to a truce.
"I learned with pain and concern the news of a new and even more powerful missile attack on Ukraine which caused deaths and damage to many civilian infrastructures", said the Pontiff at the end of the general audience in St. Peter's Square.
"Let us pray that the Lord will convert the hearts of those who still bet on war and make the desire for peace prevail for the tormented Ukraine, to avoid any escalation and pave the way for a cease-fire and dialogue", he adds.
In greeting the Italian pilgrims, Francis reiterates that "our incessant prayer is also for tormented Ukraine: may the Lord give the Ukrainians consolation, strength in this trial and give them hope for peace. We can pray for Ukraine, saying: 'Hurry, Lord '".
And in that to the Polish faithful, he greets "the members of the Soar Foundation and the artists of Poland, Ukraine, Israel and other countries, participants in the Festival of the Psalms of David, who have come to Rome to present the concert 'Psalms of peace and of mercy'".
The initiative is promoted to support the National Children's Hospital of Kiev.
"I hope that this artistic and spiritual event will favor intentions and projects of brotherhood and harmony", Bergoglio underlines.
But at the conclusion of the weekly meeting with the faithful, the Pope also receives a gift: a Ukrainian flag with the signatures of children who have written words of peace for their people and words of gratitude to Francis, who has invoked peace also this morning in St. Peter's Square.
On the symbolic piece of yellow and blue cloth there are the 19 names and surnames of the children and their mothers, fleeing the hell of the missiles fired on Ukraine, who have found hospitality in the House for spiritual retreats in Lipinki, in the Polish diocese of Rzeszow.
The "children's flag", reports L'Osservatore Romano, was presented to the Pope by Fr Rafal Brej, director of the Lipinki Centre.