Pope pleads for Ukraine peace in Easter address, cites ‘troubling’ nuclear war risk

Pope Francis made an anguished Easter Sunday plea for peace in the "senseless" war in Ukraine and in other armed conflicts raging in the world.

On what is supposed to be Christianity’s most joyful day, Pope Francis made an anguished Easter Sunday plea for peace in the “senseless” war in Ukraine and in other armed conflicts raging in the world, and cited the “troubling” risk of nuclear warfare.

“May there be peace for war-torn Ukraine, so sorely tried by the violence and destruction of this cruel and senseless war into which it was dragged,” Francis said, speaking from the central balcony of St. Peter’s Square.

The pontiff had just finished celebrating Easter Mass in the square packed by faithful for the holiday for the first time since the pandemic began in early 2020. Applause erupted from many of the 50,000 people in the square and on a nearby avenue when he mentioned Ukraine.

“Please, please, let us not get used to war,” Francis pleaded, after denouncing ”the flexing of muscles while people are suffering.“ Yet again, the pontiff decried the war in Ukraine without citing Russian President Vladimir Putin for the decision to launch the invasion and attack against Ukraine on Feb. 24.

“Let us all commit ourselves to imploring peace, from our balconies and in our streets,” Francis said. ”May the leaders of nations hear people’s plea for peace.“

In a clear reference to the threat of nuclear warfare, Francis quoted from a declaration by scientists in 1955: “’Shall we put an end to the human race, or shall mankind renounce war?”’

Francis also drew attention to other wars in the speech known by its Latin name “Urbi et Orbi” – to the city and to the world.

“May the conflict in Europe also make us more concerned about other situations of conflict, suffering and sorrow, situations that affect all too many areas of our world, situations that we cannot overlook and do not want to forget,” Francis said.