Pope: Abolish war now, before war erases humanity from history

Like every war, the “cruel and senseless” war in Ukraine, now into its second month, represents a defeat for all humanity, Pope Francis said at his weekly Angelus address.

The Holy Father launched another powerful appeal for an end to the “barbaric and sacrilegious” act of war, warning that "war does not devastate only the present, but the future of a society as well.” Pointing to statistics that show half of all Ukrainian children are now displaced, the Pope said this is what it means to destroy the future, “causing dramatic trauma in the lives of the smallest and most innocent among us.”

The Holy Father insisted, “War should not be something that is inevitable. We should not accustom ourselves to war.” Instead, he said, “we need to convert today’s disdain into a commitment for tomorrow.” He called on all political leaders to commit to putting an end to war:

"Before the danger of self-destruction, may humanity understand that the moment has come to abolish war, to erase it from human history before it erases human history!"

Turning especially toward “battered Ukraine,” Pope Francis prayed that political leaders might recognize that every day of war makes the situation worse for everyone; and he renewed his appeal:

"Enough! Stop it! May the weapons be silenced. Let us be serious about peace!"

Recalling the consecration of humanity, and of Russia and Ukraine in particular, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which the Holy Father led on Friday evening from St Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis invited the faithful to pray once again “untiringly to the Queen of Peace,” and led them in the recitation of the Hail Mary.