Pope Francis: In the name of God, stop this massacre

Vatican City, Mar 13 (EFE).- Pope Francis used his Sunday prayer service at the Vatican to issue an emotional plea to put an end to the “massacre” and the “unacceptable armed aggression” taking place during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“With pain in my heart I join my voice to that of the common people, who implore an end to the war,” he said. “In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre!”

He said there was no strategic justification for the “barbaric killing of children, innocent people and defenseless civilians.”

The besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, which bears the name of the Virgin Mary, has become a “city of martyrs” in the war, Francis said.

Francis, who on Sunday marked his ninth year as pope, called on people to welcome refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. EFE

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