Pope Francis Daily

VATICAN CITY, March 6 (Reuters) – Pope Francis on Sunday rejected Russia’s assertion that it is carrying out “a special military operation” in Ukraine, saying the country was being battered by war.

“In Ukraine rivers of blood and tears are flowing. This is not just a military operation but a war which sows death, destruction and misery,” the pope said in his weekly address to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

However, as has been the case throughout the 11-day conflict, the pope did not publicly condemn Russia by name for its invasion.