Pope mentions civilian victims of Russian war in Ukraine during Sunday prayer

That’s according to Vatican News, Ukrinform reports.

"And the same in the Middle East, Palestine and Israel, and wherever there is fighting: respect the people!" the Pope appealed, adding, "I always think in a heartfelt way of all the victims, especially civilians, caused by the war in Ukraine."

"Please let their cry for peace be heard: the cry of the people, who are tired of violence and want the war, which is a disaster for the peoples and a defeat for humanity, to stop!" pontiff stressed.

Read also: SBU puts Russian patriarch Kirill on wanted list

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in Ukraine, about 530 religious buildings were damaged as a result of Russian shelling, according to the Kharkiv Human Rights Group.

Approximately 863 cultural heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine.