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The world stands at the doorstep of what could be the most significant conflict in Europe since World War II after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. Yahoo News explains who is involved and what you need to know as the fighting begins.

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Pope Francis went to the Russian Embassy in Rome to convey his concerns over the conflict in Ukraine. Matteo Bruni said the pope spent more than 30 minutes at the embassy. Bruni did not specify what Francis said to the Kremlin official but said that he wanted to personally ask about the situation in Donbas.

Pope Francis.
Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesdsay. (Guglielmo Mangiapane/Reuters)

The ambassador to the Vatican would have been summoned by the Vatican foreign minister. The pope traveled to the embassy despite his knee pain, which forced him to cancel two engagements for next week.

Francis has called for an end to the conflict and urged Christians to fast next Wednesday as a way of praying for peace. He called on political leaders to examine their conscience before God and to refrain from actions that harm civilians.

The secretary of state for the Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said on Thursday that the pope's previous appeals for peace in Ukraine had become urgent after the start of Russian military operations on Ukrainian territory.

Where are Russian forces attacking Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out.

  • Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy to the Vatican on Friday to convey his concern over Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Moscow's ambassador. Matteo Bruni said the pope spent more than half an hour at the embassy.

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