Pope Francis delivered a grim prediction over the weekend about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, classifying the conflict as a "world war" that won't see an "end" for some time.
The religious leader, who turned 86 on Saturday, revealed his thoughts on the war in a new interview with the Spanish newspaper, ABC, that was published Sunday.
"I do what I can. They don't listen," the pope said. "What is happening in Ukraine is terrifying. There is enormous cruelty. It is very serious. And this is what I decry continuously."
The pope, who has repeatedly spoken out against the ongoing conflict, also said he doesn't see "a short-term end to [the war in Ukraine] since it is a world war."
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly become increasingly worried about his ability to control his nation's narrative surrounding the war. Moscow has recently been battered by international sanctions and has witnessed large losses on the front lines against Ukrainian forces.
The pope further revealed in the interview that he's been in touch with one of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's religious advisers.
In addition, he talked about having penned a resignation letter in 2013, soon after he'd been elevated to pontiff, in case he ever gets seriously ill or has an accident. He currently suffers from sciatica, underwent colon surgery in 2021 and has used a wheelchair because of ongoing knee pain.
When asked about what gift he would like for Christmas, he told the Spanish daily: "Peace in the world. How many wars there are in the world! The war in Ukraine touches us more closely, but we also think of Myanmar, Yemen, Syria, where fighting has continued for 13 years."
This isn't the first time that the religious leader has pushed for a permanent ceasefire between the warring nations. In August, he said the globe is currently going through a "third World War," one he classified as being fought bit-by-bit.
Pope Francis has also previously touted efforts to pray for Ukrainian citizens.
Newsweek reported Thursday that the Russian Foreign Ministry had said it received an apology from the Vatican over some of the pope's recent remarks. In November, the pope had dubbed two of Russia's ethnic minority groups as the "cruelest" soldiers battling in Ukraine.
"Generally, the cruelest are perhaps those who are of Russia but are not of the Russian tradition, such as the Chechens, the Buryats, and so on," the pope told the monthly Catholic magazine America.
Newsweek reached out to the Vatican for additional comment.
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