War is 'defeat for humanity,' pope says

As Russian bombardments continue to decimate Ukraine, Pope Francis prayed that God would free the world from war and the need to self-destruct.

"May the Lord send us his Spirit so that we may understand that war is a defeat for humanity, that those who make war have a need for defeat and may he free us from this need of self-destruction," the pope said March 23 during his weekly general audience.

Before concluding the audience, the pope led pilgrims in praying a Hail Mary to remember the innocent victims of the war in Ukraine, especially those "who are displaced, who have fled, the people who have died, the wounded and so many soldiers who have fallen, those on both sides."

According to a report published by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights March 20, at least 902 civilians, including 75 children, have been killed since Russia's attack on the country began nearly a month ago. The report said the U.N. believes "the actual figures are considerably higher," but intense bombardments have made it impossible to verify other reports.