Pope Leo XIV urged Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks targeting civilian facilities and to comply with international law.
According to the Holy See, Leo XIV, while leading the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square on the 9th, local time, expressed concern that civilian casualties, including children, are increasing because of the Russia-Ukraine war.
He added, "I sincerely once again appeal to both sides to respect international law and to stop attacks on civilian targets."
Recently, as Russia has exploited gaps in Ukraine's air defenses and continued an offensive using ballistic missiles and glide bombs, civilian casualties have followed one after another.
According to the Ukrainian government's tally, at least 377 civilians in the country were killed and 2,129 were injured by Russian attacks in the previous month. It is the largest monthly figure since April 2022.
Civilian deaths are also continuing in Russia. On the 3rd, a drone exploded at a resort on the Black Sea coast in southern Russia, killing seven people, including three children. Ukraine recently said it has repeatedly struck Russia's distribution network, causing $12.2 billion (about 17 trillion won) in losses.
Additional casualties occurred in both countries in overnight fighting. In Belgorod, Russia, five civilians were reported killed and 24 injured. In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, two people were killed and 13 injured.
Both Russia and Ukraine maintain that they strike only facilities used for military purposes and do not target civilians.