Pope Francis calls for peace in Ukraine, flags nuclear risk amid escalating tensions

As Russian war in Ukraine escalated to day 54, he of Catholic Church, Pope Francis, on Sunday me an anguished plea for peace in Ukraine, flagging risk of nuclear warfare. Delivering his annual 'Urbi et Orbi' (to City and World) dress at St. Peter's Square on holiest day of Christianity, pontiff voiced his worries over raging conflicts in Ukraine and or parts of world, including Yemen and Afghanistan. Taking a direct jibe at Russia, he also described invasion as an "Easter of war."

"May re be peace for war-torn Ukraine, so sorely tried by violence and destruction of this cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged," he of Vatican, Pope Francis, said.

Pope Francis' remarks came just after celebration of Easter Mass in square packed by hundreds of faithful for first time since pandemic hit in 2020. dressing followers, he appealed "let us not get used to war." In a thinly-veiled attack on Russia. President Vlimir Putin, Pope stated one must now "flex muscle muscles while people are suffering." Calling for commitment towards "imploring peace," pontiff stressed that people are brimming with "fear and anguish" and have locked mselves away to remain protected against bombs raining on embattled nation since "senseless war" broke out on February 24. "We have seen all too much blood, all too much violence,' he ded.

'Shall we put an end to human race?'

In a direct reference to threat of nuclear annihilation, Pope called on world leers to rethink warnings of nuclear warfare as spelt out 70 years ago by scientists. Quoting from manifesto of declaration of 1955 written by Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein, Francis questioned, "Shall we put an end to human race, or shall mankind renounce war?"

Francis held " many Ukrainian victims, millions of refugees and internally displaced persons, divided families, elderly left to mselves, lives broken and cities razed to ground," in his heart. Emphasising that Easter message was one of peace, Pope also reflected on or global conflicts across Syria, Afghanistan, and Libya. "May conflict in Europe also make us more concerned about or situations of conflict, suffering, and sorrow, situations that affect all too many areas of our world, situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget, Pope Francis highlighted. He called for peace and reconciliation for people in Lebanon, Iraq and more. He also prayed for Israelis and Palestinians, who on last day broke into clashes during early morning prayer at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Subsequently, Francis also spokes plaintively about Yemen. "It suffers from a conflict forgotten by all, with continuous victims," Pope said, furr expressing hope that a recent truce would restore hope to that country's people.

Pope also prayed for people of Myanmar which is mired in a conflict stemming from civil hatred and violence. Noting deepening humanitarian crisis in country, Francis said 'may God grant reconciliation for Myanmar." 

Meanwhile, in Britain, leer of Anglican Church, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby urged Russia to declare a ceasefire and scale out from Ukraine. Welby exhorted that Russian must pull out of Ukraine and resort to peace talks for a concrete resolution of conflict.

(Image: AP)