On Wednesday, after denouncing what he referred to as the "massacre in Bucha," Pope Francis kissed a battered Ukrainian flag showing his continued support for the country facing Russian invasion.
Bucha was the latest target of the Russian onslaught as the town near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv has recovered more than 200 bodies of civilians so far, according to NPR.
The Ukrainian flag kissed by Francis during his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday was from the war-torn town, CBS News reported.
"Recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought new atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha," Francis said to the crowd.
Pope Francis also echoed the comments made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy when he accused the United Nations of failing to stop Russia's assault on his country.
Francis said that while a "new era of peace" was the goal for countries after World War II, it failed.
"Unfortunately, the old story of competition between the greater powers went on, and in the current war in Ukraine, we are witnessing the impotence of international organizations," Francis said.
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He spoke about those who had lost their lives and how Russian forces are attacking the innocent.
"Cruelty that is increasingly horrendous, also against civilians, defenseless women and children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out up to heaven and implores: 'Stop this war! Let the weapons fall silent! Stop sowing death and destruction,'" Francis said.
Then, with a group of Ukrainian refugee children and two women, the pope held up the stained Ukrainian flag which he folded and kissed.
Many have discussed not only those who have lost their lives in Ukraine through the invasion that has lasted over a month but also those who have been displaced.
The United Nations has estimated that more than 4 million refugees have left Ukraine since the war began at the end of February.
"These children had to flee and come to a strange land. This is one of the fruits of war," Francis said. "Let's not forget them, and let's not forget the Ukrainian people."
More than 90% of those who have fled the country since Feb. 24 are estimated to be women and children.
Closing his remarks, Francis begged for the hostilities to stop and confirmed he is thinking of traveling to Kyiv to show his support for Ukraine and that diplomats from the Vatican are working to stop the war.
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