Pope, holding Ukrainian flag, condemns 'atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha'

Pope Francis holds the Ukrainian flag that was sent to him from the town of Bucha where tied bodies were shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found, during the weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli


Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned "the massacre of Bucha' and held up a Ukrainian flag that was sent to him from the town where tied bodies shot at close range, a mass grave and other signs of executions were found.

"Recent news from the war in Ukraine, instead of bringing relief and hope, brought new atrocities, such as the massacre of Bucha," he said at the end of his weekly audience.

"Cruelty that is increasingly horrendous, even against civilians, defenceless women and children. They are victims whose innocent blood cries out up to heaven and implores: 'Stop this war!'" he said.

Pope Francis speaks during the weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Western allegations Russian forces committed war crimes by executing civilians in Bucha were a "monstrous forgery" aimed at denigrating the Russian army.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Pope Francis arrives for the weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, April 6, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli