Pope welcomes Ukraine conflict ceasefire move

Pope Francis on Sunday called for the disarmament and clearing of mines in the Donbass area in Ukraine, saying it was essential for the continuation of the peace process.

The comments came after a new deal for a new ceasefire concerning the area, was reached in Minsk, which he hoped would bring "much-desired peace to that tormented region".

The latest ceasefire agreement is due to come into effect on Monday 27 July.

The conflict in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland flared up in April 2014, weeks after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.

More than 14,000 people have been killed in fighting between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists.

A road map toward peace was agreed during a December meeting in Paris of the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.