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'Rivers of blood and tears...': Pope Francis calls on Russia to end Ukraine war
Russia-Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin's invasion rumbled into an eleventh consecutive day today, amid claims of civilian casualties.
Pope Francis on Sunday joined the chorus of voices condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and rejected Moscow's description of the violence as only a 'military operation. "In Ukraine, rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not only a military operation but a war which is leading to death, destruction and misery," the head of the Catholic church said in his weekly address to crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.
The Pope's strong words come days after churches in Poland - which has welcomed refugees fleeing bloodshed and violence in Ukraine - publicly condemned the invasion and urged the Russian Orthodox Church to use its influence with President Vladimir Putin to end the war.
There are at least a few million Catholics in Ukraine.
"The time will come to settle these crimes, including before international courts," Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki of Poland wrote to Patriach Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Church head last week, "... even if someone manages to avoid human justice, there is a tribunal (a divine reckoning) that cannot be avoided."
The archbishop's tone was significant because it contrasted sharply with the Catholic Church's position at the time.
The Holy See has called for a ceasefire and corridors to evacuate non-combatants, but the Pope had yet to publicly call out Moscow for initiating a military conflict that is leaving it increasingly isolated on the global stage.
The Vatican had also offered no comment on a Russian military strike at a functioning nuclear power plant in Ukraine on Friday that led to a fire and concerns of a Chernobyl-like disaster.
EXPLAINED: Why Russia captured Chernobyl, site of horrific nuclear incident
The Pope's silence also raised eyebrows because he has, in the past, declared that the mere possession of nuclear weapons is an immoral act.
Russia has the world's largest stockpile of nuclear arms - about 6,200 - and Putin has, as recently as December, indicated a willingness to deploy them.
Moscow last week placed its nuclear "deterrence forces" on high alert - an act that led to some panic around the world.
The Vatican has a history of quiet diplomacy in sensitive issues, believing it can facilitate dialogue better if it doesn't take sides or publicly call out aggressors.
Pope Francis did venture out of the Vatican last week when he met the Russian ambassador, but the official line was only to 'express his concern about the war'.
He did also call for a (second) meeting with the head of the Russian church; "... willing to go to Moscow: to talk to a brother, there is no need for protocols," he said, but no meeting has been scheduled so far.
As far as the Russian church is concerned, it has made no public move to discuss the Ukraine crisis. Kirill's office expressed appreciation for the 'moderate and wise position' of the Vatican and insisted churches can only be peacemakers.
There is, however, believed to be pressure on the Russian church to speak up.
Full coverage: Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Ukraine's Greek Catholic Church has been understandably more forthright.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine rumbled into an eleventh consecutive day today, with no signs of hostilities stopping any time soon.
In fact, Putin has renewed war threats against Ukraine, warning them of a loss of their statehood unless they stand down their forces.
Two rounds of talks have yielded no result, with Moscow seemingly determined to pummel Kyiv into submission and Ukraine's military and local militia doing a steadfast job of halting the invading forces' progress to the capital.
Death tolls are speculative, at best.
Ukraine claims 11,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and Russia says it has lost only 498 troops. Ukraine has also claimed significant civilian casualties and that Russia is targeting populated areas, something Moscow has denied.
The United Nations has said an estimated 1.5 million people have been displaced so far, leading to the 'fastest growing European crisis since WW II'.
With input from AP, PTI
