Pope Francis draws criticism for comment about Ukraine
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Pope Francis has been criticized by Ukrainian officials over comments he made in an interview aired over the weekend last month, in which he called on Ukraine to “have the courage of the white flag” and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI that was partially published on Saturday, the Pope said Ukraine was open to peace talks with Russia as it faced possible defeat. argued that it should be.
In response to a question about whether Ukraine should agree to peace negotiations, President Francis said, “I think the strongest person will be the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and negotiates with the courage of a white flag.” Negotiations would legitimize Russian aggression against Russia.
The foreign ministers of both Ukraine and Poland on Sunday condemned Francis’ comments on social media.
Pope Francis appears unable to take steps to papal mobile after weekly general audience
Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience at the Pope Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on August 23, 2023.(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
In a post, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that in the battle between good and evil, those who stand on the side of good are strongest, rather than trying to put both sides on the same footing in negotiations.
“As for the white flag, we know the strategy of this Vatican from the first half of the 20th century. We urge you not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in the fight for their lives.” Kuleba said. “Our flag is yellow and blue. This is the flag by which we live, die, and win. We will never fly any other flag.”
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The foreign minister thanked the pope for his constant prayers for peace, adding that he hoped the pope would make an “apostolic visit” to Ukraine to help the people, both Christian and non-Christian.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski also commented on Francis’ comments.
“For balance, why not encourage President Putin to have the courage to withdraw his troops from Ukraine?” Sikorski said. “Peace will be achieved soon, without the need for negotiations.”
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine said Sunday that Ukrainians may be exhausted and that surrender is not in the minds of their Russian enemies, the Associated Press reported. Ta.
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“Trust me, surrender is not on anyone’s mind,” Shevchuk said while speaking to Ukrainians in New York City.
“Today, even in places where fighting is taking place, listen to the voices of the people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, Kharkov and Sumy,” he said, in areas under attack by Russian drones and heavy artillery. I added while referring to it.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that the pope “supports the cessation of hostilities.” [and] “This is a ceasefire achieved through courageous negotiations, not a complete surrender by Ukraine,” the Associated Press reported.
Bruni also said that the journalist who interviewed Francis used the word “white flag” in a question, giving rise to the now controversial statement.
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The Ukrainian flag flies over a heavily damaged residential area in the village of Drina, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, after the Russian military withdrew on September 24.(Photo credit: Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Francis has sought to maintain diplomatic neutrality during the war between Russia and Ukraine, in keeping with Vatican tradition.
Still, some of the Pope’s stances include reactions that could be interpreted as sympathy for Russia’s rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when Francis noted that NATO was “barking at Russia’s door” with its eastward expansion. It has been seen.
“Negotiations are by no means a surrender,” Francisco said in an interview with RSI.
“When you see that you are defeated and things are not going well, you need the courage to negotiate,” Pope said.
On Sunday, Francis said he prayed for peace in “the troubled Ukraine and the Holy Land” as he said the Angelus from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
“Let us stop as soon as possible the hostilities that are causing untold suffering to civilians,” he said.
Pope Francis draws criticism for comment about Ukraine
Join Fox News for access to this content
Plus, your account will give you exclusive access to select articles and other premium content for free.
Please enter a valid email address.
Pope Francis has been criticized by Ukrainian officials over comments he made in an interview aired over the weekend last month, in which he called on Ukraine to “have the courage of the white flag” and negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI that was partially published on Saturday, the Pope said Ukraine was open to peace talks with Russia as it faced possible defeat. argued that it should be.
In response to a question about whether Ukraine should agree to peace negotiations, President Francis said, “I think the strongest person will be the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and negotiates with the courage of a white flag.” Negotiations would legitimize Russian aggression against Russia.
The foreign ministers of both Ukraine and Poland on Sunday condemned Francis’ comments on social media.
Pope Francis appears unable to take steps to papal mobile after weekly general audience
Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience at the Pope Paul VI Hall in the Vatican on August 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)
In a post, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that in the battle between good and evil, those who stand on the side of good are strongest, rather than trying to put both sides on the same footing in negotiations.
“As for the white flag, we know the strategy of this Vatican from the first half of the 20th century. We urge you not to repeat the mistakes of the past and to support Ukraine and its people in the fight for their lives.” Kuleba said. “Our flag is yellow and blue. This is the flag by which we live, die, and win. We will never fly any other flag.”
Pope Francis temporarily hospitalized with influenza symptoms
The foreign minister thanked the pope for his constant prayers for peace, adding that he hoped the pope would make an “apostolic visit” to Ukraine to help the people, both Christian and non-Christian.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski also commented on Francis’ comments.
“For balance, why not encourage President Putin to have the courage to withdraw his troops from Ukraine?” Sikorski said. “Peace will be achieved soon, without the need for negotiations.”
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Greek Catholic Church of Ukraine said Sunday that Ukrainians may be exhausted and that surrender is not in the minds of their Russian enemies, the Associated Press reported. Ta.
Priests apologize for praying for Pope Francis to ‘go to heaven’ as soon as possible
“Trust me, surrender is not on anyone’s mind,” Shevchuk said while speaking to Ukrainians in New York City.
“Today, even in places where fighting is taking place, listen to the voices of the people of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odessa, Kharkov and Sumy,” he said, in areas under attack by Russian drones and heavy artillery. I added while referring to it.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Saturday that the pope “supports the cessation of hostilities.” [and] “This is a ceasefire achieved through courageous negotiations, not a complete surrender by Ukraine,” the Associated Press reported.
Bruni also said that the journalist who interviewed Francis used the word “white flag” in a question, giving rise to the now controversial statement.
Britain announces providing 10,000 drones to Ukraine in fight against Russia
The Ukrainian flag flies over a heavily damaged residential area in the village of Drina, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, after the Russian military withdrew on September 24. (Photo credit: Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Francis has sought to maintain diplomatic neutrality during the war between Russia and Ukraine, in keeping with Vatican tradition.
Still, some of the Pope’s stances include reactions that could be interpreted as sympathy for Russia’s rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when Francis noted that NATO was “barking at Russia’s door” with its eastward expansion. It has been seen.
“Negotiations are by no means a surrender,” Francisco said in an interview with RSI.
“When you see that you are defeated and things are not going well, you need the courage to negotiate,” Pope said.
On Sunday, Francis said he prayed for peace in “the troubled Ukraine and the Holy Land” as he said the Angelus from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.
“Let us stop as soon as possible the hostilities that are causing untold suffering to civilians,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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