POPE ADDRESSES TENSIONS IN EASTERN UKRAINE

Pope Francis, delivering his Sunday address to a live audience for the first time in more than a month, called for a lowering of tensions in eastern Ukraine and expressed anxiety over a military buildup.

“Please! I strongly hope that an increase in tension can be avoided. On the contrary, there is a need for gestures that can promote reciprocal trust and foster reconciliation and peace, both so necessary and so desired,” he said.

Tensions between Moscow and Kyiv have been rising amid a buildup of Russian troops along the border and clashes in eastern Ukraine between the army and pro-russian separatists.

Francis, speaking to several hundred people in St. Peter’s Square from a window, said he was following the increased military activity with anxiety and decried recent violations of a ceasefire agreement.