Pope Francis: Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine

Ukrainian flags in crowd - screenshot

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis made a heartfelt plea for peace in Ukraine, guaranteed humanitarian corridors, and for all people to come to the aid of the refugees, especially the mothers and children fleeing. He made the appeal during his Sunday Angelus address to 25,000 pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square. The official English translation of his appeal follows:

"Dear brothers and sisters,

Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine. It is not merely a military operation, but a war, which sows death, destruction and misery. The number of victims is increasing, as are the people fleeing, especially mothers and children. The need for humanitarian assistance in that troubled country is growing dramatically by the hour.

I make a heartfelt appeal for humanitarian corridors to be genuinely secured, and for aid to be guaranteed and access facilitated to the besieged areas, in order to offer vital relief to our brothers and sisters oppressed by bombs and fear.

I thank all those who are taking in refugees. Above all, I implore that the armed attacks cease and that negotiation - and common sense - prevail. And that international law be respected once again!

And I would also like to thank the journalists who put their lives at risk to provide information. Thank you, brothers. And sisters, for this service. A service that allows us to be close to the tragedy of that population. and enables us to assess the cruelty of war.

Thank you brothers and sisters. Let us pray together for Ukraine. We have its flags in front of us. Let us pray together as brothers and sisters, to Our Lady Queen of Ukraine.

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women. And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, amen.

The Holy See is ready to do everything to put itself at the service of this peace.

These days two Cardinals went to Ukraine to serve the people to help. Cardinal Krajewski the almoner, to bring aid to the needy and Cardinal Cherny, interim prefect of the dicastery for promoting integral human development. The presence of these two Cardinals there is the presence not only of the Pope, but of all Christian people who want to get closer and say: 'War is madness. Stop! Please! Look at this cruelty.

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