Speaking after the Angelus prayer, the Pontiff noted that “heartbreaking news continues to arrive regarding innocent people killed and wounded in Ukraine and Russia.”

“Tragic events are repeating—and even multiplying—causing ever more civilian casualties, including children,” the Pope said.

A report published by *Vatican News*, citing these remarks, refers to the drones, missiles, and bombs that “fall ceaselessly on major cities and border areas, striking apartment buildings, neighborhoods, markets, and even seaside resorts—as happened about a week ago on a Black Sea beach.”

On August 3, a Ukrainian drone attack on the resort town of Gelendzhik killed three people and injured 13 others, according to Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region.

The following day, five people lost their lives and six others were injured in another similar action by Kyiv against the Moscow region, reported Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of that territory.

Civilian casualties are also being recorded on the Ukrainian side as a result of this war; in light of this, the leader of the Catholic Church stated on Sunday that “war only breeds more war and causes immense suffering.”

“It is time to halt the spiral of violence and make way for diplomacy and dialogue to pave the path to peace,” the Supreme Pontiff added.

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