NATO could provoked Russia in Ukraine

Pope Francis did not rule out that NATO's actions near the Russian borders could push Moscow to a special military operation in Ukraine.

"Perhaps, the barking of NATO near Russia's borders led to the reaction of the Kremlin. The anger, I don't know if it was provoked, but probably contributed," he told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Further, the pontiff stressed that he is in favour of abandoning the arms race.