Pope condemns Russia's bombing of Ukrainian cities

Pope Francis at his weekly general audience on Wednesday condemned Russia's "relentless bombings" of Ukrainian cities and called on "those who have the fate of the war in their hands" to stop.

That's according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.

Speaking to the thousands of pilgrims gathered with him, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the Ukrainian people, who are currently suffering from the consequences of massive rocket fire, according to Vatican News.

"In these days my heart is with the Ukrainian people, especially to the inhabitants of the places where the bombings have raged," Pope Francis said, commenting on Russia's heavy bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

The Holy Father added that he prays for Ukrainians.

"I carry within me their pain, and through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God, I present it in prayer to the Lord. And God always hears the cry of those who invoke Him. May His Spirit transform the hearts of those who hold the fate of the war in their hands, so that the hurricane of violence may cease and peaceful coexistence in justice may be rebuilt," the Pope said.

Early on October 10, Russia launched missile strikes on Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Dnipro and other cities. In total, 84 rockets were fired across Ukraine, and 43 of them were shot down.