Pope begs Putin to end 'spiral of violence and death'

Pope Francis asked Vladimir Putin for help in stopping the "spiral to violence and death" in Ukraine. He stated that the crisis was threatening a nuclear escalation, with uncontrollable global implications.

Pope Francis condemned Putin's recent annexation in Ukraine, which he addressed to thousands of people at St. Peter's Square. He asked Putin to think about his people in the case of an escalation.

According to a Vatican official, the passionate address reminded him of a radio peace appeal made by Pope John XXIII during 1962's Cuban Missile Crisis.

This was the first time that Francis, who has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion and destruction of Ukraine, made such an open personal appeal to Putin.

Francis said he was haunted by "rivers of blood, tears that have been shed in these months", and urged Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, to be open to any "serious" peace proposal.

He made an urgent appeal to God for an end of the conflict, and stated that it was absurd that the world was at risk of a nuclear war.

Francis stated: "My appeal goes over all to the President of the Russian Federation. I beg him to stop the spiral of violence and death."

"On the other hand, hurt by the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people following the aggression, I address an equally hopeful appeal to the president to be open for a serious peace proposal," he added.

Later, Francis tweeted both the appeals in Russian and Ukrainian.

Two days after Putin declared the annexe of almost a fifth Ukraine's territory and placed them under Russia's nuclear umbrella; Francis also stressed the right of all countries to "sovereignty and territorial integrity".

Kyiv and its Western allies condemned Putin's annexes as illegal. Zelenskiy stated that his forces will fight to retake all Ukrainian territory occupied Russian forces.

Ukraine claimed Sunday (2 October) full control over Lyman, the eastern logistics hub. This was Kyiv’s biggest battlefield victory in weeks.

He said, clearly referring to the annexation: "I strongly deplore this grave situation that has been created over the last few days. With more actions that are contrary the principles of International Law."

He stated that this increased the risk of a nuclear escalation to the point where people fear uncontrollable and devastating consequences at a global level.

Francis made a reference about ethnic Russians living in Ukraine and said that it was important to respect the rights of minorities as well as their legitimate concerns.

Francis stated that it was anguishing that the world was learning about Ukraine's geography through names such as Bucha, Irpin and Mariupol.

Share this article: