Pope Francis has described the ongoing war in Ukraine as a “shameful tragedy for humanity,” as he marked 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion during his weekly audience at the Vatican.
Speaking to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, the Pope reflected on the devastating toll the war has taken. “Yesterday marked 1,000 days since the invasion of Ukraine. A tragic milestone for the victims and the destruction it has caused,” he said. The audience included Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, along with the first ladies of Armenia, Lithuania, and Serbia.
The Pope expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, calling them “martyred” and urging for efforts to replace weapons with dialogue. “This is not just a tragedy for Ukraine; it is a disaster for all humanity,” he added.
During the audience, Francis read a letter from a Ukrainian student, detailing the horrors of war and the suffering endured by many. The heartfelt message highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Pope Francis has consistently advocated for peace, calling for an end to the violence and for the world to seek solutions rooted in compassion and dialogue.
