Pope Francis has renewed his appeal for the entire Catholic Church to dedicate Ash Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Ukraine.

In his Sunday Angelus, the Pontiff called upon the war parties to turn away from the “diabolical and perverse logic of weapons”.

“Many times we have prayed that this road would not be taken,” the Holy Father said. “Ordinary people are the real victims who pay for the follies of war with their own skin.”

The Pope renewed his invitation for all Catholics to pray and fast for peace on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on March 2.