NEW DELHI: Pope Francis paid tribute on Wednesday to a Ukrainian soldier killed in the war with Russia during his weekly audience by displaying the soldier’s Bible and observing a moment of silence for conflict victims, at St Peter’s Square.
Pope said, “This boy was called Olexandre, Alexander, 23 years old… he died in Adviika,” a battered frontline town in the eastern Donetsk region.
“He had his life ahead of him,” he added.
Pope Francis held up a soldier’s rosary and a camouflaged New Testament, urging a moment of silent remembrance for those lost in the war chaos. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the pope has consistently advocated for peace and prayed for the “martyred” people of Ukraine.
“I would like everyone to take a moment in silence, to think about this boy and many others like him who have died in this madness of war,” the pontiff said. “War always destroys. Let us think of them and pray,” he added.
However, his recent suggestion to Ukrainians to “raise the white flag and negotiate” caused controversy in Kyiv last month.
(With inputs from agencies)
Pope said, “This boy was called Olexandre, Alexander, 23 years old… he died in Adviika,” a battered frontline town in the eastern Donetsk region.
“He had his life ahead of him,” he added.
Pope Francis held up a soldier’s rosary and a camouflaged New Testament, urging a moment of silent remembrance for those lost in the war chaos. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the pope has consistently advocated for peace and prayed for the “martyred” people of Ukraine.
“I would like everyone to take a moment in silence, to think about this boy and many others like him who have died in this madness of war,” the pontiff said. “War always destroys. Let us think of them and pray,” he added.
However, his recent suggestion to Ukrainians to “raise the white flag and negotiate” caused controversy in Kyiv last month.
(With inputs from agencies)