Days after angering Kiev and Western capitals by appearing to call on Ukraine to surrender and negotiate peace with the Russian aggressor, Pope Francis today renewed his condemnation of all war.

At the end of Wednesday’s customary general hearing, he again referred to the wound of war and, addressing the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, emphasized: “Please always be in our sincere prayers those who suffer because of the terrible consequences of war »

“Many young people will be killed in the war. Let us pray to the Lord to give us the grace to overcome this madness of war, which is always a defeat,” the pope said during his weekly homily in St. Peter’s Square.

Francis did not specifically mention Ukraine or another war zone, but said he had earlier received a rosary and a copy of the Gospel that belonged to a man killed on an unnamed war front.

“Today they brought me a Gospel and a rosary of a young soldier who was killed at the front. He prayed with them. So many young people are killed. Let us pray to the Lord to have mercy on us so that we may defeat this insanity of war, which is always a defeat.”

Francis had told Swiss broadcaster RSI that “those who have the courage to raise a white flag and negotiate are stronger” calling on Ukraine to open talks with Russia. However, the Holy See’s foreign minister, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, clarified in an interview on Tuesday that Russia should first suspend its aggression.