Pope says Ukraine peace ‘cannot be postponed’

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV said that peace in Ukraine is “an urgent necessity”, speaking on Sunday ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

“Peace cannot be postponed. It is an urgent necessity that must find space in hearts and be translated into responsible decisions,” he said in his regular Sunday address to a crowd in St Peter’s Square.

“I strongly renew my appeal: may the weapons fall silent, may the bombings cease, may a ceasefire be reached without delay, and may dialogue be strengthened to open the way to peace,” the American-born pontiff said.