Ukraine: Pope Francis "begs" Vladimir Putin to stop the "spiral"
Pope Francis blesses the faithful at the end of the noon Angelus prayer, from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, in the Vatican, Sunday, October 2, 2022. AP - Alessandra Tarantino
Text by: RFI Follow
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In a vibrant appeal, the sovereign pontiff addressed Sunday, October 2 directly to the Russian president, asking to put an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
Francis also condemned the recent annexation of Russian provinces, and asked President Zelensky to show openness “
to concrete proposals for peace
”.
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With our correspondent in Rome,
Éric Sénanque
As a sign of the deep concern aroused by the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, the pope devoted his entire address on Sunday to the war.
Francis said he was "
deeply distressed by the rivers of blood and tears shed in recent months
".
It is distressing that the world learns about the geography of Ukraine through names like Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhya and other localities, which have become places of indescribable suffering and fear.
But for the first time, the sovereign pontiff spoke directly and publicly to Vladimir Putin.
My appeal is addressed above all to the President of the Russian Federation, begging him to stop, also out of love for his people, this spiral of violence and death.
Francis, in his appeal, also explicitly condemned the Russian annexation of Ukrainian provinces, "
actions contrary to the principles of international law
", a situation which, according to the pope, "
increases the risk of nuclear escalation, to the point of making fear of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences on a global level
”.
The sovereign pontiff also asks President Zelensky to be “
open to serious proposals for peace
”.
For the pope, the world is on the verge of chaos.
His vibrant appeal echoes another famous address, that of his predecessor John XIII, during the Cuban missile crisis.
It was October 17, 1962, almost 70 years ago to the day.
The war in #Ukraine has become so serious and threatening that it is causing great concern.
In the name of God and in the name of the sense of humanity that dwells in every heart, I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire!
#Russia #Peace
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex_fr) October 2, 2022
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Vatican
Ukraine
Pope Francis
Russia
Vladimir Poutine
Volodymyr Zelensky
christianity