Towards the end of his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis appealed for peace in Ukraine where violent clashes between government forces and protesters continue to ravage the capital, Kyiv.
Twenty-five demonstrators were killed yesterday in what is considered the deadliest day of the protests. President Viktor Yanukovych gained the ire of many after he backed out of trade pact with the European Union, and choosing instead to steer the country towards closer ties with Russia.
Responding to yesterday’s violence, the Holy Father said: “I assure my closeness to the Ukrainian people and pray for the victims of violence, for their families and for the wounded.”
Concluding his appeal, Pope Francis called for all parties involved in the conflict to end all acts of violence while urging them to “seek harmony and peace in the country.”
