Reflecting his profound concern at the danger of an escalation of the war in Ukraine and the potential use of nuclear arms, Pope Francis called today for “an immediate ceasefire” to that war.

Cardinal Konrad Krajewski said he "could only pray" when he visited the mass grave site found recently in Ukraine, as he saw the solemn removal of bodies by young Ukrainians.

Unknown gunmen fired upon the papal almoner, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, as he and others attempted to deliver humanitarian aid in Ukraine on Saturday. No injuries were reported in the attack.

The Vatican said that Pope Francis's comments on the death of Darya Dugina were meant to defend life, not affirm the Russian side of the war in Ukraine.

Although Pope Francis repeatedly has spoken out on behalf of the Ukrainian people, this was not the first time Ukrainian officials have been upset with Pope Francis for what they see as equating the actions of the aggressor with the victim.

The pope told the patriarch that “we are not clerics of the state, we cannot use the language of politics, but of Jesus.”