Pope demands end to ‘senseless’ war in Ukraine at start of Kazakh visit

Pope Francis at Qazaq Concert Hall in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan (AP)

Pope Francis has begged for an end to Russia’s “senseless and tragic war” in Ukraine as he arrived in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan to join faith leaders from around the world in praying for peace.

Francis flew to the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan to meet with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for an official state visit portion of his three-day trip.