In his remarks at the conclusion of the general audience, held at 10:00 a.m. local time this Wednesday before thousands of faithful and pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Supreme Pontiff expressed that “the heart of the Church is torn apart by the cries rising from places of war” such as Ukraine and the Middle East.

He referred to the clashes between Kiev and Moscow, as well as those taking place between Israel and Iran, which began on June 13 after the attack by Zionist forces on Tehran, and the massacre carried out by Tel Aviv against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, with more than 55,000 deaths.

“We must not get used to war!” the Bishop of Rome demanded, noting that “in fact, we must reject the temptation of powerful and sophisticated weapons,” according to a statement published by the Holy See press office.

“In reality, given that scientific weapons of all kinds are used in today’s war, their atrocity threatens to lead combatants to a barbarism far greater than that of times past,” he considered, quoting Pope Francis, who has repeatedly stated that “war is always a defeat!”

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