By AFP 27 February 2022 | 12:48 pm Pope Francis on Sunday called for an end to fighting in Ukraine on the fourth day of a Russian invasion of the country. Pope Francis waves his hand to the crowd as he delivers his Angelus prayer from the window of his study overlooking St.Peter’s Square at the Vatican on February 27, 2022. – Pope Francis expressed his “deep pain for the tragic events” resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Kyiv’s embassy to the Vatican said on February 26, 2022. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP) Pope Francis on Sunday called for an end to fighting in Ukraine on the fourth day of a Russian invasion of the country. “Let the weapons fall silent,” he said. “God is with those who seek peace, not those resorting to violence.” The Argentine pontiff also called for the “urgent” opening of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape the onslaught. “I am thinking of the elderly, of all those at the moment seeking refuge, of mothers fleeing with their children,” he said. “They are brothers and sisters for whom it is urgent to open up humanitarian corridors and who must be welcomed.” The UN refugee agency UNHCR says more than 368,000 people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Thursday. Many of those escaping to neighbouring countries have crossed over into Poland, where the authorities have counted some 156,000 crossing since that date. Others have also headed to Moldavia, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Latest 19 mins ago The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who split from rival Boko Haram jihadists in 2016, has escalated attacks in recent weeks, despite ongoing military operations. 29 mins ago Chelsea said Sunday they were “praying for peace” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after owner Roman Abramovich’s decision to hand over control of the Premier League club. 38 mins ago Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett held a phone call Sunday with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the conflict in Ukraine, the premier’s office said, following reports Kyiv has asked Israel to mediate. 58 mins ago Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put the country’s nuclear “deterrence forces” on high alert Sunday and accused the West of taking “unfriendly” steps against his country. 1 hour ago Portugal is to send military equipment to Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Sunday, joining other Western nations in dispatching help to the eastern European country under Russian attack.
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