Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing

Ukraine's losses, including destroyed homes and massive damage to the country's infrastructure, has topped $1 trillion since Russian forces invaded the country two months ago, according to Ukraine's top economic advisor.

Oleg Ustenko, economic adviser the Ukrainian president, announced the country's staggering losses in a televised address on Sunday.

"This is what was destroyed by the Russian invaders in our assets. It is clear that this figure literally increased every day ... the aggressor destroyed our infrastructure, destroyed the homes of our citizens, destroyed everything that could be destroyed by their own and air strikes, and simply by dropping bombs and everything they did," Ustenko said.

Ustenko said additional losses have come as a result of Ukraine's declining gross domestic product.

"It is this figure that we must focus on," Ustenko said. "It is this figure that should be compensated by the Russian Federation immediately after our victory."

The opening of humanitarian corridors for people to escape the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol did not occur as scheduled on Sunday because Russian troops in the area did not confirm a cease-fire, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

Vereshchuk called on the United Nations to step in and provide the escape routes for civilians still trapped in Mariupol by the fighting.

She said the problem over establishing humanitarian corridors out of Mariupol should be raised with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Pope Francis renewed calls on Sunday for a cease-fire in Ukraine to allow humanitarian aid to reach the war-torn country's "exhausted population."

The pope told tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican that Sunday marked both Orthodox Easter and two months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began.

"Instead of stopping, the war has become harsher," Francis said.

He urged political leaders on both sides of the conflict "to listen to the voice of the people, who do not want an escalation of the conflict."

"I renew an appeal for an Easter truce, the minimum and tangible sign of a willingness for peace. Stop the attacks in order to help the exhausted population. Stop," Francis said.

Even as the pope spoke, Ukrainian officials reported shelling in Ukraine on Sunday as Russian forces pushed forward with a new offensive targeting eastern Ukraine's Donbas region and territory in southern Ukraine. Two children were among those killed in shelling on Sunday, according to Ukrainian officials.

"It is sad that in these days that are the holiest and most solemn for all Christians, the deadly sound of weapons is heard more than the sound of bells that announce the resurrection," Francis said. "And it is sad that weapons are increasingly taking the place of words."

The 85-year-old pontiff did not specifically mention Russia or President Vladimir Putin, but left little doubt which side he was most critical of, using terms such as "unjustified aggression" and lamenting atrocities against civilians.

Putin, a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, has described Moscow's actions as a "special military operation" in Ukraine aimed at demilitarizing and "denazifying" the country. Moscow has denied targeting civilians.

"I ask everyone to pray more for peace and to have the courage to say and demonstrate that peace is possible," the pope said.

-ABC News' Rashid Haddou

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy released an Orthodox Easter message Sunday, saying he believes in a "new victory for Ukraine."

In a video of his Easter greetings posted on YouTube, Zelenskyy said he was was speaking from the Cathedral of St. Sophia in Kyiv and cited the church's thousand-year history in which it survived the Kyivan Rus’-Ukraine war against the Pechenegs and withstood Nazi occupation.

"Today, we all believe in a new victory for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said. "And we are all convinced that we will not be destroyed by any horde or evil."

Zelenskyy added, "We are enduring dark times. And on this bright day, most of us are not in bright clothes. But we are fighting for a bright idea."

Reciting a prayer, Zelenskyy asked God to protect Ukrainians and give the nation "strength to fight and win."

"This Easter, we ask God for great grace to make our great dream come true -- a dream of another great day, a day when great peace will come to Ukraine and with it eternal grace and prosperity," Zelenskyy said. "With faith and confidence in this, I wish you all a Happy Easter."