West And Russia At Loggerheads On Ukrainian Border, Pope Francis: Guns Are Not The Way To Go

Pope Francis. (Wikimedia Commons/Paris Orlando)

JAKARTA - Pope Francis called for serious international dialogue to resolve tensions between the US-led West and Russia on the Ukrainian border, urging both sides to avoid armed conflict.

The Pope said he prayed for "dear Ukraine, for all its churches and religious communities and for all its people, so that tensions there are resolved through serious international dialogue and not with arms."

"Guns are not a path to be taken. May this Christmas bring peace to Ukraine," Pope Francis told thousands in St Peter's Square for his blessing and afternoon address.

Ukraine is predominantly Orthodox Christian, with Catholics of the Latin Rite or Byzantine Rite making up about 10 percent of the population in the former Soviet republics.

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said on Saturday he had told Russian President Vladimir Putin Russia would pay a "terrible price" and face devastating economic consequences if it attacked Ukraine.

Ukraine accuses Russia of amassing tens of thousands of troops in preparation for a possible large-scale military offensive.

Meanwhile, Russia denies planning any attacks and accuses Ukraine and the United States of destabilizing behavior, saying it needs security guarantees for its own protection.