“Tragic incidents are multiplying, causing an ever-growing number of civilian victims, including children,” the pope said before worshippers gathered for Sunday’s Angelus prayer, Reuters reported.
“I renew my heartfelt appeal for international humanitarian law to be respected and for attacks against civilian targets to cease on both sides,” he added.
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More than 16,000 civilians have been killed during nearly four and a half years of fighting, according to the United Nations, with the overwhelming majority of the victims in Ukraine.
The UN human rights office reported in July that civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine had increased by more than a third during the first half of the year, driven largely by a rise in drone attacks.
Ukraine has also launched waves of drone strikes against targets in Russia. UN officials have reported civilian casualties both in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and inside Russia.
The pope’s latest appeal came as fresh attacks were reported on both sides.
Ukraine’s Odesa seaport was damaged in an overnight Russian attack, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who said eight people were wounded in the city.
In Russia, five people were killed in a Ukrainian overnight drone attack on Belgorod, according to the regional crisis center.
Both Moscow and Kyiv deny deliberately targeting civilians.
Pope Leo’s call comes as the conflict continues to produce casualties among civilians and as international calls for greater respect for humanitarian law remain unanswered.
