Pope Francis, in his first commentary on tensions involving Western powers, Russia and Ukraine, called on Sunday (12) for efforts for serious international dialogue and for all sides to avoid armed conflict.
Francis said he was praying “for dear Ukraine, for all its churches and religious communities and for all its people, that tensions are resolved through serious and unarmed international dialogue.”
“Weapons are not the way to go. May this Christmas bring peace to Ukraine,” the pope told thousands in St. Peter’s Square during the midday blessing.
Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian, with Latin or Byzantine Rite Catholics representing about 10% of the population of the former Soviet republic.
US President Joe Biden said on Saturday (11), after speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin, that Russia would pay “a terrible price” and face economic consequences if it invaded Ukraine.
Ukraine has accused Russia of deploying tens of thousands of soldiers in preparation for a possible military offensive on its territory. Russia, for its part, denies its intention to attack and says it needs to guarantee its security.
The US government urged Russia to withdraw from the Ukrainian border and assured that Western powers are willing to impose massive sanctions on Moscow in the event of an attack, during a G7 meeting in the UK on Saturday (11).
The United States also announced the sending of its Undersecretary of State for Europe, Karen Donfried, to Ukraine and Russia between Monday and Wednesday of next week.
.
