Speaking about developments in Ukraine after the Sunday prayer at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said the attacks in the country must stop and space must be created for diplomacy to pursue peace.
Leo XIV said he was following with sorrow the recent attacks targeting various Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure facilities. The Pope said innocent people had lost their lives in the attacks and noted that the Ukrainian people had been living with anxiety and fear for a long time.
Pope Leo XIV called for an end to both the violence and the destruction. He said the parties must open their hearts to dialogue and peace.
Leo XIV expressed hope that efforts to resume negotiations would produce concrete results and create the necessary space for diplomacy.