Pope Francis says Ukraine needs to be ‘far-sighted’ to secure peace

Pope Francis said on Friday that Ukraine’s leaders must be “far-sighted” in order to secure peace, suggesting that Kyiv must make concessions to end the war with Russia.

Earlier this month, the pope called for a cease-fire to avoid escalation of the conflict and asked God to “hurry up” to end it. Francis praised Ukrainians’ fortitude in the face of the Russian invasion in an open letter released on Friday to mark the nine-month anniversary of the Russian invasion.

He wrote, “The world has recognized a bold and strong people, a people that suffers and prays, cries and struggles, resists and hopes: A noble and martyred people.”