Too many defenceless civilian victims of wars - pope

(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 31 - Pope Francis on Wednesday reiterated his call for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza and the other areas of the world afflicted by conflict, lamenting the massive civilian death tolls.
    "We mark the National Day of Civilian War Victims in Italy tomorrow," the Argentine pontiff said at the end of his weekly general audience in the Vatican.
    "In prayerful remembrance of those who died in the two World Wars, we add the many, too many, defenceless civilians victims of the wars that unfortunately still stain our planet with blood, like those in the Middle East and Ukraine.
    "May their cry of pain touch the hearts of those in charge of nations and arouse projects for peace.
    "When one reads the stories of these days of war, there is so much cruelty, so much.
    "Let us ask the Lord for the peace, which is always gentle, not cruel". (ANSA).