Pope "deeply shocked" by Russian attack on children's hospital in Kyiv

"The Holy Father has learned with great sorrow the news about the attacks against two medical centres in Kyiv, including the largest children's hospital in Ukraine (the Okhmatdyt Hospital)," reads the statement issued by the Vatican. The Holy See emphasised that Pope Francis prays for the victims of the attacks in Ukraine, as well as for those killed and injured in Saturday's bombing of a school in the Gaza Strip.

The Pope expresses his deep shock at the escalation of violence. While expressing sympathy for the victims and the innocent wounded, he hopes and prays that practical pathways can soon be identified to put an end to the ongoing conflicts, the Vatican press release stated.

It is worth noting that the Holy See, in its latest communiqué, does not mention either Russia, which is behind the attack on Ukrainian medical facilities, or Israel, which is responsible for the bombings in the Gaza Strip. This is not the first time that the Holy See has not identified the aggressor and condemned the bloodshed. Such an approach has repeatedly drawn Pope Francis sharp criticism.

Monday brought a massive attack on Ukrainian cities. The Russians shelled two medical facilities in Kyiv. One of them was the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital. Two people were killed, and 10 were injured. At the time of the attack, there were a total of 627 children in the facility. An evacuation was necessary. Some of them were transported to other facilities within Ukraine.

The attack also damaged the health centre in the Dniprovskyi district. According to the Polish Press Agency, 7 people, including three children, were killed there. 18 people were injured. The latest data indicates that a total of 40 people were killed and 190 were wounded in Monday's massive attack on Ukraine.