‘Rivers of blood and tears are flowing in Ukraine.’
~ Gerard O’Connell, AMERICA Magazine
“Rivers of blood and of tears are flowing in Ukraine,” Pope Francis said on March 6 as he made a passionate and robust appeal for an end to the war in Ukraine that has now entered its 13th day. He called for a stop to the armed attacks in the country, and for negotiations and good sense to prevail. He appealed for a return to the respect of international law, which has been broken by the invasion of the country by Russian forces.
“Above all else, I implore that the armed attacks stop, that negotiations prevail, and that good sense also prevails, and that there be a return to respect the international law,” he said in a heartfelt and emotion-packed appeal that drew strong applause from the thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square this Sunday, March 6th.
He appealed too for “the true securing” and guaranteeing of “humanitarian corridors” and for making vital aid available to the populations of the cities and towns under siege by the Russian forces that, as reports show, lack food, water, and electricity, and who are living in fear.
Significantly, he added that in Ukraine today “one is not dealing with a military operation only, but with war that sows death, destruction and misery.” By stating his categorically, the Pope has called out the big lie being propagated by President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin authorities who continue to insist that what is happening in the Ukraine is “a military operation” not an invasion of a sovereign state and a war. Journalists or people who state otherwise in Russia now risk heavy penalties following legislation passed in the Duma, the Russian parliament, last Friday.
“The victims are ever more numerous, as are the people in flight, especially mothers and children,” Francis stated, referring to the thousands being killed and wounded, and the more than 1.5 million people who, according to the United Nations, have already fled the war in the country and become refugees in neighboring European states.
“In that martyred country there grows hour by hour the necessity of humanitarian assistance, the Pope said.
Aware that these [people are living] mostly in bomb-shelters and to a large extent lack food, water and medical supplies, Pope Francis asked that “there be guaranteed and facilitated the access to aid for the besieged people so as to offer vital help to our brothers and sisters who are oppressed by the bombs and fear.” To read the entire article please click here