Pope Francis denounced the deaths of thousands of children in a “whirlwind of violence” in the Gaza Strip, Ukraine and Yemen, Reuters reports.

“Do you know how many children have died in Gaza in this last war? More than 3,000. It is incredible, but it is the reality,” Francis said.

“And in Ukraine there are more than 500, and in Yemen, in years of war, thousands,” he added.

“Their memory leads us to be ourselves lights for the world, to touch the hearts of many people, especially those who can stop the whirlwind of violence.”