Pope Francis made the appeal this morning during his General Audience. He said: “Once again my thought goes to the beloved Ukranian people. Unfortunately, the situation is worsening and the opposition between the sides is getting graver. We pray, first of all, for the victims, among whom there are many civilians, and for their families, and we pray to the Lord that this horrible fratricidal violence will end soonest. I renew my heartbroken appeal that every effort be made – also at the international level – for the resumption of dialogue, the only possible way to bring about peace and concord in that martyred land.”

He added: “Brothers and sisters, when I hear the words ‘victory’ or ‘defeat’, I feel a great pain, a great sadness in my heart. They are not the right words. The only right word is peace! This is the only right word!".