Pope calls for an international day of "prayer for peace" over Ukraine crisis

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis celebrates a Holy Mass, held every year on the third Sunday of January to celebrate and study the Word of God, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, January 23, 2022. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

Pope Francis on Sunday called for an international day of "prayer for peace" on January 26 to stop the Ukraine crisis from worsening, saying the tensions were threatening the security of Europe and risking vast repercussions.

Francis announced the prayer day and made the appeal for dialogue to defuse the crisis during his weekly address and blessing to pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter's Square.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)