Pope Leo on Wednesday decried what he called a "sharp intensification" of the war in Ukraine, telling pilgrims at his weekly audience at the Vatican that he wanted to express closeness to civilians killed in recent attacks. "I am following with concern the war in Ukraine," Leo, the first US pope, said, according to Reuters. "War does not solve problems, but aggravates them. It does not build security, but multiplies suffering and hatred.” "Where missiles and drones fall, hopes also fall, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are shattered," he said.
