"Tomorrow, in Italy, we celebrate the National Day of Civilian Victims of War. In prayerful memory for those who died in the two world conflicts, we also associate the many, too many, civilians, helpless victims of the wars which unfortunately still blood our planet, as happens in the Middle East and in Ukraine. May their cry of pain touch the hearts of the leaders of the nations and inspire plans for peace".
The Pope said this at the end of the general audience.
"When you read the stories of these days of war - added Pope Francis - there is so much cruelty, so much. Let us ask the Lord for peace which is always gentle, not cruel".
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