The Justitia et Pax Commission of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Bishops' Conference on Saturday appealed for stopping the war in Ukraine, encouraging everyone concerned to understand the importance of Pope Francis's warning that this playing with fire is destroying human lives.

Recalling the suffering BiH went through during the 1990s war, the Commission said the attack on Ukraine was a violation of international law which was causing huge suffering to its people.

The Commission urged world powers to stop the war “in an internationally recognised country. Stop the further destabilisation of peaceful coexistence, the suffering of numerous inhabitants and the further discrediting of international law as the Pope called on you to do.”

The Commission said the call was made especially on Christians who, it added, have a special responsibility to resolutely stand up for the protection of people's lives and equality between people and nations.

The bishops called for negotiations and dialogue and extended their sympathy and spiritual closeness with the people of Ukraine.

They said they had the right to warn about that from a country in which, they noted, many people still suffer due to the egotism, impudence and inhumanity of some and the disinterest, indifference and opportunism of others.