Pope Francis recognized Russia as an aggressor of Ukraine. I am not naming Putin because it is already known
One of the journalists’ questions to the Pope concerned the war in Ukraine. Journalist Gerard O’Connell noted that for many people in the United States, it appears as if the Pope does not want to directly criticize Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, preferring instead to speak more generally about the need to end the war, to end mercenary activity, rather than Russian attacks, to end trade weapons
“How would you explain your position regarding this war to Ukrainians, Americans and others who support Ukraine?” he asked.
Here is what the Holy Father answered:
“When I talk about Ukraine, I talk about a martyr people, a martyred people. If there is a martyr people, then there is someone who tortures them. When I talk about Ukraine, I talk about cruelty, because I have a lot of information about the cruelty of the troops, who invade. In general, the most violent are probably those who are from Russia, but do not belong to the Russian tradition, for example, Chechens, Buryats and so on. Of course, the one who invades is the Russian state. This is quite understandable. Sometimes I I try not to be specific, so as not to offend, but rather to condemn in general, although it is well known who I am condemning. It is not necessary to indicate the name and surname.
On the second day of the war, I went to the Russian embassy [to the Holy See], an unusual gesture because the Pope never goes to the embassy. And there I told the ambassador to tell [Vladimir] Putin that I am ready to go on the condition that he gives me a window for negotiations. Foreign Minister [Serhiy] Lavrov sent me a formal reply, a polite letter, from which I understood that there was no need for this yet.
I twice [ed. – three times] spoke by phone with President Zelensky. In general, I work to obtain lists of prisoners, both civilian and military, and send them to the Russian government, and the response has always been very positive.
Read more: West fears bloody and difficult liberation of Crimea, – Economist
I was also thinking of making a trip, but I decided: if I make a trip, I will go to Moscow and Kyiv, to both, and not to one place. And I never gave an opportunity to think that I was covering up aggression. Here, in this hall, three or four times I received a delegation from Ukraine, from the government. And we work together.
Why don’t I name Putin? Because it is not necessary; this is already known. However, sometimes people get hung up on a detail. Everyone knows my position, with Putin or without Putin, without mentioning his name.
Some cardinals went to Ukraine: Cardinal Cherny went twice; [Archbishop] Gallagher, who is responsible for [relations with] states, spent four days in Ukraine, and I received a report of what he saw; and Cardinal Krajewski traveled four times. He drives his van loaded with things and spent a week in Ukraine last Holy Week. Thus, the presence of the Holy See through the cardinals is very strong and I am in constant contact with people in positions of responsibility.
And I want to note that these days are the anniversary of the Holodomor, the genocide that Stalin committed against Ukrainians (in 1932-33). I think it’s appropriate to mention it as a historical precursor to the [current] war.”
