Pope Francis urges peace in Ukraine as 158 civilians killed

Pope Francis called for an end to the war in Ukraine on Sunday as reports of civilian deaths surge on both sides of the front line.

The appeal came during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, where he described the ongoing violence as “tragic incidents that continue and multiply.” His words followed days of intensified shelling in eastern and southern Ukraine, where local officials report dozens of civilian casualties, including children. The Vatican has repeatedly urged dialogue since Russia’s full-scale invasion in early 2022, but recent escalations around Kharkiv and Donetsk have raised fresh fears of a wider humanitarian crisis.

Civilian tolls have risen sharply in recent weeks as Ukrainian forces counter Russian advances near the northeastern city of Kharkiv, while Russian strikes have intensified in southern regions like Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. Independent monitors say at least 38 civilians were killed and more than 120 injured in the past seven days alone. Among the victims were two children in a Donetsk kindergarten struck by a missile on Friday. Both sides blame each other for targeting populated areas, and the UN has warned of possible war crimes amid the indiscriminate attacks.

The Pope’s call for peace reflects growing concern in the Catholic Church and among global leaders as Ukraine faces a critical phase in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked for more air defense systems and artillery to hold the line, while Russia has vowed to press its offensive. The Vatican continues to push for diplomatic talks, but neither side shows signs of backing down. With winter approaching and front-line positions shifting daily, the risk of further civilian harm remains high—making the Pope’s plea both timely and urgent.