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.
“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.
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were in Kyiv on Sunday, their first official visit to Ukraine as part of a renewed peace effort.
Also on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his government is ready for a “constructive” discussion with the US envoys.
