Pope Francis called out the ‘atrocities’ and ‘ever more horrendous cruelties’ by Russian forces in Ukraine as he prayed with child refugees this morning.
The pontiff also kissed a ragged Ukrainian flag brought from Bucha, the Kyiv suburb where war crimes are alleged to have taken place in recent days.
Francis, 85, stood with child refugees at his weekly general audience at the Vatican, handing them chocolate Easter eggs.
He said: ‘The recent news about the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, instead attests to new atrocities, such as the Bucha massacre.
‘Ever more horrendous cruelties, also perpetrated against defenceless civilians, women and children. These are victims whose innocent blood cries out to heaven and begs for mercy’, AFP reported.
The pope looked to the children and said: ‘These children had to flee in order to arrive in a safe land. This is the fruit of war. Let’s not forget them and let’s not forget the Ukrainian people.’
He also lamented the ‘powerlessness’ of international organisations and said ‘the old history of competing great powers’ has continued despite the hope which followed World War Two.
The pope has been careful not to take sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February but has in recent days hardened his careful rhetoric.
He pleaded with Putin in March: ‘In the name of God I ask you, stop this massacre.’
Grisly images of what are claimed to be civilian massacres carried out by Russian forces in Bucha before they withdrew have stirred a global outcry in recent days.
Horrifying news out of the Kyiv suburb has prompted Western nations to expel dozens of Moscow’s diplomats and propose further sanctions, including a ban on coal imports from Russia.
President Zelensky has described the targeting of innocent Ukrainians, including women and children, as ‘war crimes’ and ‘genocide’.
