By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters – Pope Francis urged the halting of attacks on Ukraine Sunday in order to provide aid for the poor and urged leaders “listen to people” who fear an escalation.

As he spoke to the tens and thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, he said that the two-month mark in the war coincided with Easter for most Eastern Christians.

From the windows of the official papal studies, he stated that “Instead to stopping the war has become more severe.”

I appeal again for Easter truce. This is the minimum sign that there’s a desire for peace. Help the suffering population by stopping the attacks. Francis said, “Stop!”

While Christians celebrated Orthodox Easter in Ukraine, war continued. It claimed thousands of lives, uprooted millions, and left cities in ruins. Two children from Ukraine were killed by shelling in Ukraine on Sunday, according to reports.

The Easter Sunday celebrations were celebrated in Western Christianity.

It is sad to hear the sound of guns more often than the sound of the bells that proclaim the resurrection in the days most sacred and solemn for Christians. It is sad, that weapons have been taking over words,” Francis stated.

Francis shared the following: “Please, political leaders listen to people who want peace. Not an escalation.”

Francis (85) hasn’t specifically mentioned Russia and its President, Vladimir Putin since the beginning of the conflict, but he made no doubt about which side he criticised by using terms like unjustified aggression, invasion, and lamenting atrocities committed against civilians.

Putin, who is an Orthodox Russian Church member, described Moscow’s actions in Ukraine to be a “special military operations” that aimed at demilitarizing and “denazifying the country.” Moscow denies targeting civilians.

Francis specifically refuted Russia’s use of the term “rivers and blood”, calling it a war which has led to “rivers of death”.

An earlier Francis attended, but didn’t preside over the Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. This was the second time that Francis had to stop some activities due to a sudden flare-up of knee pain. While seated, he read the homily with a strong and clear voice.