VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis appealed for concrete new measures to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza Tuesday after attacks targeted a children's hospital in Kyiv and a school in Gaza. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis appealed for concrete new measures to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza Tuesday after attacks targeted a children's hospital in Kyiv and a school in Gaza. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis appealed for concrete new measures to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza Tuesday after attacks targeted a children’s hospital in Kyiv and a school in Gaza.
The Vatican press office issued a statement Tuesday expressing Francis’ pain over the new attacks and his “profound upset” at the spiraling of violence. “While he expresses closeness to the innocent victims and injured, he hopes and prays that concrete paths can be identified to put an end to these ongoing conflicts,” the statement said. Francis has frequently asked for prayers for the “martyred” people of Ukraine but tends to keep his appeals generic.
He has also tended to take a balanced line toward the war in Gaza, frequently mentioning Israel and the hostages still held by Hamas alongside the suffering of Palestinians. A Russian missile struck the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital Monday, drawing international outcry. Russia denied responsibility.