Pope Francis spoke out against the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine during Christmas statements, calling for an end to the conflict.
Speaking at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, the Pope focused on the human cost that has resulted from the war, which has been raging since February.
“May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to help all who are suffering, and enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of guns and put an immediate end to this senseless war!” the pope said, according to Agence France-Presse.
The Pope’s Twitter account posted a similar message on Christmas Day.
POPE FRANCIS WARNS OF ‘ELEGANT DEMON’ LURKING AMONG VATICAN STAFF
Pope Francis delivers the Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, Sunday, December 25, 2022.
(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
“Let’s see the faces of our brothers and sisters in #Ukraine who are living this #Christmas in the dark and cold, far from their own homes, because of the war. May the Lord enlighten the minds of those who have the power to put an immediate end to this senseless war!”
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Meanwhile, the war continued over the holiday weekend, as a result missile attack hit the Ukrainian city of Kherson on Christmas Eve, according to reports. The Saturday morning attack killed at least eight and injured at least 58.
“Kherson. On Christmas Eve, in the central part of the city. It’s terror, it’s killing for intimidation and pleasure,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted in a message accompanying photos of the destruction. “The world must see what an absolute evil we are fighting against.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared photos of a missile attack on Christmas Eve in the city of Kherson. Authorities report that the attack resulted in seven deaths.
(Ukrainian state media)
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On Friday, the Kherson region was shelled with 74 separate attacks that killed five civilians and injured 17 others, according to Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych.
Kherson was liberated by Ukrainian forces earlier this winter, making it a major target of ongoing russian attacks to regain lost territory.
Fox News’ Timothy Nerozzi contributed to this report.
