Pope Francis has called on Vladimir Putin to stop the “massacre” in Ukraine, warning cities risk being “reduced to cemeteries”.
He said “this unacceptable armed aggression” against Ukraine must stop.
Speaking to thousands of people in St Peter’s Square for his Sunday blessing, the pontiff described Russian strikes on children’s hospitals and civilians as “barbaric” and said they have no “valid strategic reason”.
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His comments come after a series of attacks on hospitals, religious buildings and civilian areas.
In Mariupol, one of the worst-hit cities, efforts to supply food, water and medicine and to evacuate civilians were prevented by unceasing attacks.
Russian soldiers pillaged a humanitarian convoy that was trying to reach Mariupol and blocked another, a Ukrainian official said.
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More than 1,500 people have died in Mariupol during the 12-day blockade.
According to the mayor’s office the shelling has even interrupted efforts to bury the dead in mass graves.
