POPE LEO CONDEMNS ESCALATION OF RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT

VATICAN CITY, MAY 27 /SRNA/ - The head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, condemned the sharp escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and expressed regret for the civilians killed in recent attacks.

"I follow with concern the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine. War does not solve problems, but worsens them," the pope said at his weekly audience at the Vatican.

He stressed that war only increases suffering and hatred, Reuters reported.

"Where missiles and drones fall, hopes also fall, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives end," the pope added.

Ukrainian drones attacked a school and boarding school of the Starobelsk College in the Luhansk People's Republic on Friday, May 22. The attack killed 21 people, including children.