Pope Francis Calls for Just Peace in Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel

Just peace in Ukraine, Palestine, and Israel. Pope Francis at the Regina Coeli, speaking from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, implores "the leaders" to pause "a bit", at least long enough "to ease the tension and to negotiate to start negotiations". Behind the generic word "leaders", Francis's attention goes to the leaders of Hamas (who still hold in their hands, after six months, a hundred Israeli hostages), the Netanyahu government, and the Kremlin, for the war of aggression that has been ongoing for over two years. "May prayer for just and lasting peace never cease, especially for the tormented Ukraine and for Palestine and Israel: may the spirit of the risen Lord support those who work to ease the tension and promote negotiations, and may the Lord give leaders the ability to pause a bit to negotiate" said Francis. Pope Francis: "Do not expand the war, it is madness". Then he talks about justice: "A just man, if he is wrong, apologizes". During the words addressed to the crowd gathered in Bergoglio square, he also recalled how sport can be a vehicle for sharing and social peace. The occasion to talk about it was the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace that occurred yesterday. "We all know how practicing a sport can educate a society to solidarity, but for this, we need leaders and trainers who do not only aim at profit and results but promote a sport that fosters social justice and fraternity". The friendship between an Israeli and a Palestinian at the center of the Pope's audience, "they lost their daughters, they live the same crucifixion". Finally, Pope Francis greeted the participants of a conference that was held in the Vatican against the practice of surrogacy. A very hot topic that will be included in the upcoming "Dignitas infinita Declaration, about human dignity" that will be presented tomorrow morning by the Argentine cardinal Manuel Fernandez.