Pope warns of nuclear war risk; appeals to Putin on UkraineVATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a cease-fire, imploring him to “stop this spiral of violence and death” in Ukraine and denouncing the “absurd” risk of the “uncontrollable” consequences of nuclear attack as tensions sharply escalate over the war.“In fact, this terrible, inconceivable wound of humanity, instead of shrinking, continues to bleed even more, threatening to spread,” the pope said.”It, in fact, increases the risk of a nuclear escalation, to the point of fearing uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences on the world level.”Tourists flock to Japan after COVID restrictions liftedEx-Fed Chair Bernanke shares Nobel for bank failure researchLarge rail union rejects deal, renewing strike possibilityFed meeting minutes, consumer price index, big bank earns“Rivers of blood and tears spilled these months torment me,″ the pope said.But Putin sought to justify launching the invasion saying he needed to protect his country from what he called “Nazi” elements in Ukraine.“It’s anguishing that the world is learning the geography of Ukraine through names like Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhizhia and other places, that have become places of indescribable sufferings and fears,″ Francis said."