War in Ukraine

Warning that the Russian Orthodox patriarch should not “turn himself into Putin’s altar boy,” Pope Francis also said he would like to go to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin in an attempt to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals met in-person at the Vatican April 25, discussing the war in Ukraine, the Vatican press office said.

In an Easter message to Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, Pope Francis prayed that the Holy Spirit would “transform our hearts and make us true peacemakers, especially for war-torn Ukraine.”

The meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow planned for June has been canceled out of concern it could cause “confusion,” and there will be no papal visit to Kyiv while war rages.

A Ukrainian Marine commander pleaded with Pope Francis to do everything to save the city of Mariupol, which is close to being captured by Russian forces.