Pope Leo calls for halt to Ukraine war and attacks on civilian sites as toll rises

Pope Leo expressed concern over the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, demanding an end to the war and adherence to international humanitarian law, according to Reuters. The pontiff lamented the increasing number of civilian casualties, with children among the victims. During the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo reiterated his call for both parties to abide by humanitarian laws and cease attacks on civilian infrastructure.

As of now, over 16,000 Ukrainian civilians have lost their lives in the almost four-and-a-half-year-long Russian invasion, with the majority being Ukrainian citizens. In July, the U.N. Human Rights Office revealed a third increase in civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine's first half of 2026, largely due to a surge in drone attacks.

While Ukraine has retaliated by launching drone strikes on Russian soil, the U.N. representative pointed out that casualties are also occurring in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions and Russia itself. Recently, a Russian assault on Aug. 9 inflicted damage on the Odesa seaport, injuring eight people, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.