Photo: VINCENZO PINTO / AFP / Getty Images
For: EFE Updated 13 Feb 2022, 02: 32 am EST
Pope Francis today demanded from world leaders “every effort” possible to guarantee peace in Ukraine, amid tensions over the presence of Russian troops on its eastern border.
“The news coming from Ukraine is very worrying. I trust in the intercession of the Virgin Mary” and in “every effort for peace” by political leaders, he said from the window of the Apostolic Palace after praying the Angelus.
And then he prayed for a few moments in silence and encouraged the faithful who were listening to him from St. Peter’s Square to do the same.
The Pontiff thus expressed his concern about the situation in Ukraine and about the tensions between Western NATO countries and Russia, which continues to deny its intends to invade the country although he continues to concentrate troops on the border they share.
It is not the first time that Francis has referred to this crisis, since on February 9, he advocated dialogue to avoid “the madness” of war.
A few days earlier, on 23 of January, also denounced the escalation of tensions and revealed his concern about the possible repercussions for security on the European continent.
“I am following with concern the increase in tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow on peace in Ukraine and put security in the European continent is under discussion with even more extensive repercussions”, he warned in that Angelus.
US President Joe Biden -the second Catholic of the country after John F. Kennedy – spoke yesterday with the Russian, Vladimir Putin, and told him that, although he is willing to follow the diplomatic path, his country is prepared for other scenarios in case he invades Ukraine.
It may interest you:
– Pope Francis expresses his concern for Ukraine and security in Europe
– Russia-Ukraine: why a possible invasion Russian ion to Ukraine raises fears that Europe is closer to war than it has been in decades
– The US warns of a “swift and severe” response to any Russian incursion into Ukraine