To end his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis prayed for an end to the war in Ukraine and condemned the recent atrocities committed in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv where retreating Russian troops targeted civilians.
POPE FRANCIS
Increasingly horrific cruelty, even against civilians. Unarmed women and children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs for an end to this war.
He then brought out a piece of the war which made its way to the Vatican.
POPE FRANCIS
Yesterday, from Bucha, this flag was brought to me.
This flag comes from the war. From that martyred city of Bucha. Also here are some Ukrainian children who are with us, let us greet them and pray together with them.
The Pope then stressed that the lives of children are among those most impacted by the horrors of war.
POPE FRANCIS
This is one of the fruits of war, let us not forget them, and let us not forget the Ukrainian people.
Just over a week before Easter, he then gave them each Easter eggs as a gift,as they were met with roaring applause.
JM
