Pope Francis prayed the Angelus before a St. Peter's Square littered with Ukrainian flags.
He referred to besieged city of Mariupol, where increased fighting in recent days has killed dozens, and left those remaining in the city cut off from food and medical supplies.
POPE FRANCIS
'There are no strategic reasons that hold up. The only thing to do is to cease the unacceptable armed aggression before the city is reduced to a cemetery.'
The Pope gave his strongest condemnation of the war yet, calling for an increased focus on negotiations, the implementation of humanitarian corridors, and an end to the violence.
POPE FRANCIS
'In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre!'
Pope Francis also encouraged communities to take in the millions of refugees fleeing the war, and asked Christians to dedicate more time to pray for peace.
JM
