Pope Leo XIV Expresses Need to End Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Pope Leo XIV today lamented the civilian casualties in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, while reaffirming the need to increase efforts to make peace negotiations viable in order to end the confrontation.

In his remarks following the recitation of the Angelus prayer, delivered before thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square from the window of his study at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the pontiff stated that "heartbreaking news continues to arrive of innocent people killed and wounded in Ukraine and Russia."

"The tragic events keep repeating, and even multiplying, causing ever more civilian casualties, including children," added the Bishop of Rome, according to a statement released by the Holy See's press office.

A report published by Vatican News, citing these remarks, referred to drones, missiles, and bombs that "continue to fall relentlessly on major cities and border areas, striking apartment buildings, neighborhoods, markets, and even seaside resorts, as occurred approximately a week ago on a Black Sea beach."

On August 3, a Ukrainian drone attack on the seaside resort of Gelendzhik killed three people and left another 13 injured, according to the governor of Russia's Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev.

The following day, five people died and six others were injured in a similar strike by Kyiv against the Moscow region, according to that region's governor, Andrei Vorobyov.

Civilian casualties have also been reported on the Ukrainian side as a result of the ongoing war, prompting the leader of the Catholic Church to state on Sunday that "war only breeds more war and causes immense suffering."

"It is time to stop the spiral of violence and make way for diplomacy and dialogue to pave the road to peace," the pontiff added.

"I am close to the families of the victims, the wounded, and all those suffering as a result of the ongoing conflict," and, "in the face of so much pain, I reiterate my heartfelt appeal for respect for humanitarian law and for an end to attacks on civilian targets by both sides," Pope Leo XIV added today following the Angelus prayer.