Pope Leo: ‘My heart goes out’ to suffering Ukrainian people

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday said he has been following, “with a heavy heart” the news of intensified attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure that have caused the deaths of innocent people.

Russia has increased strikes on Ukraine, including on civilian targets, throughout the summer. In recent weeks, more Russian air attacks have been hitting their targets as Ukraine is running critically low on Western supplied air defence systems such as the Patriot surface-to-air missile defence system.

In the past few days, dozens of people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Ukraine by Russian missile and drone attacks. Although Russia claims strikes are aimed at military targets, recent attacks have left apartment buildings, private homes, and public transit routes in major population centres in ruins.

In his remarks following the weekly Angelus, Pope Leo said, “My heart goes out to the suffering of the people, who have been living in distress and fear for years.”

He renewed once again his appeal “to end the violence and halt the destruction, and to open hearts to dialogue, and peace.”