Pope Francis evaluates the possibility of traveling to Kyiv 1:12
(CNN) --
Pope Francis on Sunday called for a ceasefire in Ukraine for Easter and "real negotiations" for a lasting peace.
While leading Palm Sunday services in St. Peter's Square, the first service since 2019 that the public was allowed to attend in the square after the lifting of covid-19 restrictions, Pope Francis condemned the war in Ukraine. , calling it "a war that every day brings before our eyes brutal massacres and cruelty committed against unarmed civilians."
Pope Francis calls for a day of prayer for Ukraine
"Put away your weapons, start an Easter truce, but not to reload your weapons and start fighting again, no," the pontiff said.
"A truce to achieve peace, through real negotiations, also willing to make some sacrifices for the good of the people."
"Indeed, what victory will he have who plants a flag on a pile of rubble?" the pope added.
"Nothing is impossible for God".
In his homily, Pope Francis condemned "the madness of war" and referred to those killed in the fighting as well as refugees fleeing violence.
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Pope Francis kisses the Ukrainian flag and again rejects war 0:48
"Christ is once again nailed to the Cross in mothers who mourn the unjust death of husbands and children," Francis said.
"He is crucified on refugees fleeing bombs with children in their arms."
He added: "It is crucified in the elderly left alone to die; in the young deprived of a future; in the soldiers sent to kill their brothers and sisters."
war ukraine