Pope Leo on Wednesday ​decried what he called ‌a "sharp intensification" of the war in Ukraine, telling ​pilgrims at his weekly ​audience at the Vatican ⁠that he wanted ​to express closeness to civilians ​killed in recent attacks.

"I am following with concern the ​war in Ukraine," ​Leo, the first U.S. pope, said. "War ‌does ⁠not solve problems, but aggravates them. It does not build security, ​but ​multiplies ⁠suffering and hatred".

"Where missiles and drones ​fall, hopes also ​fall, ⁠homes and places of worship are destroyed, and ⁠innocent ​lives are ​shattered," he said.