Pope Francis has renewed calls for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine during his Angelus prayer, saying it was essential to keep up efforts to stop the ongoing conflicts, Reuters reports.

“I pray for the tormented population of Ukraine … and the people in Palestine and Israel,” he told the crowds gathered in St Peter’s square, adding he had spotted some yellow and blue Ukrainian flags.

“Peace is possible, goodwill is needed … we must not resign ourselves because, always, always, always war is a defeat from which only weapon manufacturers profit,” he said.