Praying for peace in Ukraine, Pope bursts into tears

ROME

Pope Francis wept tears on Thursday as he prayed for peace in Ukraine during a traditional Christmas visit to the statue of the Virgin Mary near the central Spanish Steps in Rome.

Francis was forced to stop for a few seconds, unable to speak, as he started describing the war in Ukraine and the suffering of its people. "I would have liked to have brought you the thanks of the Ukrainian people," he said, before choking and bursting into tears.

The crowd of citizens, faithful, and clergymen surrounding the pope broke into applause after an intense pause of silence, encouraging him to continue.

Francis then resumed the prayer from where he left off: "... The Ukrainian people for the peace we have so long asked the Lord ... Instead I must present you with the pleas of children, elderly, mothers and fathers and the young people of that martyred land, who are suffering so much," he added.

The pope was paying his annual visit to the Spanish Steps, in central Rome, on Dec. 8, a national holiday dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Jesus' mother.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war began in late February, Pope Francis has mentioned Ukraine in most of his public speeches.

After completing the prayer, the pope greeted people in the crowd who had gathered in the famous Roman piazza.