Pope on mass killings of civilians in Ukraine: Innocent blood cries to heaven

Wednesday, 06 April 2022, 21:03

Children from Ukraine, and a flag from long-suffering Bucha, reminded pilgrims from all over the world of the horrors of war. In a general audience, Pope Francis called for prayer for the innocent victims, and for an end to the war in Ukraine.

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"The latest news about the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, instead shows new atrocities, such as the massacre in Bucha. Besides everything else, brutality has been inflicted on the civilian population, on defenseless women and children. These are victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs: ‘May this war be put to an end! Silence the weapons! No more death and destruction!’ Let us pray for this together,” declared Pope Francis at the end of the general audience on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, after which there was a prayerful silence in the hall.

"Yesterday," the Holy Father continued, "this flag was brought to me from Bucha." The Pope stood up and unfurled the flag, saying: "This flag came from the warzone, from this long-suffering city of Bucha. And there are also several Ukrainian children who are here with us now. Let us greet them and pray together for them."

To the sincere applause of the pilgrims, a group of children then came on stage and stood next to the Holy Father, who kissed the flag, and said: "These children had to flee and come to a foreign land; this is one of the results of war. Let's not forget about them, let's not forget about the Ukrainian people."

The Holy Father presented the children with Easter sweets and received drawings and gifts from them. After the children returned to their seats to the applause of those present, the Pope added: "It is difficult to be uprooted from your land because of war."

Source: Vatican News