Ukrainian president thanks Pope Francis for his ‘spiritual support’

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday thanked Pope Francis for his support as Russia launched military intervention.

"(I) thanked Pope Francis for praying for peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire. The Ukrainian people feel the spiritual support of His Holiness," Zelenskyy said in a Twitter post.

Pope Francis had earlier tweeted: "Jesus taught us that the diabolical senselessness of violence is answered with God's weapons, with prayer and fasting. May the Queen of Peace preserve the world from the madness of war."

The pontiff also visited the Russian Embassy in Rome on Friday and appealed for “greater space for negotiations.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the military intervention on Thursday, a move that has met strong response from the West.

While economic and military support has been announced for Kyiv; sanctions have been imposed on Moscow, including measures targeting Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.