<p>Pope Francis, continuing his implicit criticism of Russia, on Sunday called the conflict in Ukraine an unjustified "senseless massacre" and urged leaders to stop "this repugnant war".</p>.<p>"The violent aggression against Ukraine is unfortunately not slowing down," he told about 30,0000 people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly Sunday address and blessing.</p>.<p>"It is a senseless massacre where every day slaughters and atrocities are being repeated," Francis said in his latest strong condemnation of the war, which has so far avoided mentioning Russia by name.</p>.<p>"There is no justification for this," he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/what-could-happen-if-war-spreads-to-a-nato-country-1093009.html" target="_blank">What could happen if war spreads to a NATO country?</a></strong></p>.<p>Moscow says the action it launched on Feb. 24 is a "special military operation" designed not to occupy territory but to demilitarise its neighbour and purge it what it sees as dangerous nationalists. Francis has already rejected that terminology.</p>.<p>"I beg all the players in the international community to truly commit themselves to stopping this repugnant war," the pope said, drawing loud cheers and applause from the crowd.</p>.<p>"Even this week missiles and bombs hit civilians, the elderly, children and pregnant mothers," he said.</p>.<p>Russia denies targeting civilians.</p>.<p>Francis spoke about his visit on Saturday to a Rome hospital that is treating children wounded in Ukraine.</p>.<p>"One was missing an arm and another had a head wound," he said. </p>
<p>Pope Francis, continuing his implicit criticism of Russia, on Sunday called the conflict in Ukraine an unjustified "senseless massacre" and urged leaders to stop "this repugnant war".</p>.<p>"The violent aggression against Ukraine is unfortunately not slowing down," he told about 30,0000 people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly Sunday address and blessing.</p>.<p>"It is a senseless massacre where every day slaughters and atrocities are being repeated," Francis said in his latest strong condemnation of the war, which has so far avoided mentioning Russia by name.</p>.<p>"There is no justification for this," he said.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/what-could-happen-if-war-spreads-to-a-nato-country-1093009.html" target="_blank">What could happen if war spreads to a NATO country?</a></strong></p>.<p>Moscow says the action it launched on Feb. 24 is a "special military operation" designed not to occupy territory but to demilitarise its neighbour and purge it what it sees as dangerous nationalists. Francis has already rejected that terminology.</p>.<p>"I beg all the players in the international community to truly commit themselves to stopping this repugnant war," the pope said, drawing loud cheers and applause from the crowd.</p>.<p>"Even this week missiles and bombs hit civilians, the elderly, children and pregnant mothers," he said.</p>.<p>Russia denies targeting civilians.</p>.<p>Francis spoke about his visit on Saturday to a Rome hospital that is treating children wounded in Ukraine.</p>.<p>"One was missing an arm and another had a head wound," he said. </p>