There are useless killings on both sides in Ukraine, says the pontiff

Ukrainian solders. Photo: AP, Andriy Andriyenko

Pope Leo described the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine as “useless killings.” In an interview with Crux, the pontiff urged the search for alternative means of resolving the conflict.

“I think that people have heard the different appeals I’ve made in terms of raising my voice, the voice of Christians, and the people of goodwill, saying that peace is the only answer. The useless killing after these years of people on both sides – in that particular conflict, but in other conflicts – I think people have to somehow be wakened up to say, there’s another way to do this,” Pope Leo said.

"Some things I’ve said have been interpreted in one way or the other, and that’s alright, but I think that the realistic part of it is not primary right now. I think a number of different actors have to push hard enough to make the parties that are at war say, enough is enough, and let’s look for another way to solve our differences," he added.

Pope Leo expressed his conviction that one must never give up hope and stressed his belief in human nature, despite the presence of “bad actors” and temptations on either side of the conflict.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the pontiff, the Vatican maintains neutrality in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

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