Pope Francis rejects Russia's 'special operation' narrative

Last week the Pope appealed for an end to the conflict

Pope Francis has said the Ukraine conflict is "not a military operation but a war", and called Ukraine a "martyred country" where "rivers of tears and blood flow".

Qazet.az reports that his comments are a rebuke to the official Russian narrative being pushed by the Kremlin, which insists its invasion of Ukraine is a "special military operation" launched to "demilitarise" Ukraine.

Last week the Pope appealed for an end to the conflict, calling for humanitarian corridors to be opened to allow civilians to flee.