Milan, Sept. 14 (LaPresse) – “I believe people have heard the various appeals I have made; I have raised my voice, the voice of Christians and people of good will, affirming that peace is the only response to the killing of people over the years by both sides, in that particular conflict, but also in other conflicts. In some way, people must wake up and say: there is another way to do this,” Pope Francis said in response to a question about Ukraine and the role of the Holy See in resolving the conflict. This was part of his first interview as Pope, given to Crux Vatican correspondent Elise Ann Allen and previewed by Peruvian media outlet El Comercio on the day of his 70th birthday. “I am fully aware of the implications of thinking of the Vatican as a mediator,” the Pontiff added, recalling “the two occasions when we offered to host meetings for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, in the Vatican or in other Church properties.”