Originally published at The Crux
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Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his appeal for an end to the war in Ukraine, decrying recent Russian attacks that have killed noncombatants and damaged civilian infrastructure.
“With a sorrowful heart,” the pontiff said Sunday, “I have followed the news of the latest violent attacks that have recently struck several cities and civilian infrastructures in Ukraine, causing the deaths of innocent people.”
The pope was speaking to pilgrims and tourists gathered for the traditional Angelus prayer on Sunday in St. Peter’s Square.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service reported at least one person and wounded at least 10 others in Russian attacks overnight between Saturday and Sunday, while a Ukrainian drone reportedly struck a vehicle in Russia, killing one person and gravely injuring another.
In the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, air raid sirens have been blaring almost constantly, while emergency services reported other deaths and injuries from Russian strikes in several regions.
“My heart goes out to the suffering people, who for years have lived in anguish and fear,” the pontiff said.
“I renew my appeal to put an end to the violence, to stop the destruction and to open hearts to dialogue and peace,” Leo said, hoping “that the efforts undertaken
