Pope appeals for dialogue to stop 'insanity of war' + video links

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Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis repeated his grave concern over the war in Ukraine three times during Wednesday's General Audience, calling for disarmament and appealing for dialogue. He also highlighted the many other forgotten wars wreaking death and destruction across the globe in Syria, Yemen, Myanmar and elsewhere.

He told pilgrims in St Peter's Square: "I think of the insane war - insane! - of which the tormented Ukraine is a victim, and of so many other conflicts, which will never be resolved through the childish logic of weapons, but only through the mild force of dialogue."

Speaking during his catechesis at the weekly General Audience, the Pope invited all men and women of goodwill to think of "the tormented Ukraine," but also of "wars that have been going on for years."

"Let us think of Syria - more than 10 years! - let us think of Syria, let us think of the children in Yemen, let us think of Myanmar: everywhere!"

"What do wars do?.. They destroy, they destroy humanity, they destroy everything. Conflicts should not be solved through war.

Later, during his greeting to Italian pilgrims at the Audience, the Pope renewed his invitation to pray for "the tormented Ukraine".

"Let us ask the Lord for peace for the people who are so afflicted and who suffer so much cruelty, so much cruelty on the part of mercenaries who wage war."

In a third reference to the war in Ukraine, Pope Francis reminded Polish pilgrims present that the day after tomorrow, Poland will celebrate the anniversary of her independence.

"May this significant anniversary inspire in everyone gratitude to God," he concluded, "and a renewed commitment to fraternity, the protection of life and the dignity of the human person in your country and in the international arena, especially in neighbouring Ukraine.

Watch today's general Audience on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRUVn35Meb8

Note: During the Audience, two children walked up to see Pope Francis. Watch what happened here: www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=NS-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&v=1195078884725002