In an interview with US broadcaster CBS, Pope Francis has called for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and around the world and urged world leaders to negotiate peace. Source: Vatican News.
Referring in particular to the wars in Ukraine, in Gaza and others that continue to ravage the world, Pope Francis said, ” Please, countries at war, all of them … Stop the war. Look to negotiate. Look for peace. A negotiated peace is better than a war without end.”
The Pope was speaking during an interview granted to the US radio-television broadcaster CBS, on Wednesday afternoon at Casa Santa Marta.
Some excerpts from the hour-long interview conducted by Norah O’Donnell, director of CBS Evening News, were broadcast shortly after. An extended version of the conversation will be aired on Sunday, May 19, on the eve of World Children’s Day, which will take place in Rome on May 25 and 26.
Asked about the consequences for children of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Pope Francis replied: “Those children don’t know how to smile … And this is very hard when a child forgets to smile. That’s really very serious. Very serious.”
Pope Francis also spoke about climate change, which “exists”. To a question about his health, he replied with a smile: “I’m fine.”
And reiterating that there is room for everyone in the Church he said: ” I would say that there is always a place, always. If in this parish the priest doesn’t seem welcoming, I understand, but go and look, there is always a place. Do not run away from the Church. The Church is very big. It’s more than a temple. … You shouldn’t run away from her.”
FULL STORY
Pope: ‘A negotiated peace is better than an endless war’ (Vatican News)
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