The Pope no longer beats around the bush or linguistic juggling. Seven months after the start of the Russian invasion, the lack of progress towards the horizon of peace in Ukraine no longer allows it. Thus, Francis decided to address it directly. To the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin to ask him stop the “spiral of violence and death” In Ukraine, caused by its “aggression” on the neighboring country. “I’m begging you, also in the name of his love for his own people”, the Argentine pope told Putin.
The supreme authority of the largest Christian community expressed itself in an intervention almost entirely devoted to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which took place this Sunday in St. Francis said he thought so. “absurd” He humanity is in danger of nuclear war.uncontrollable and devastating consequences around the world”. “After seven months of hostilities, all diplomatic tools, even those hitherto unusedto put an end to this terrible tragedy,” he continued.
“What still needs to happen?” she wondered. “Let’s silence our weapons and Let’s look at the conditions to start negotiations He also condemned the final annexation of Ukraine’s territory by Russia, insisting that it is capable of leading to just and stable solutions based on consent, not by force. contrary to the principles of international lawThis “increases the risk of escalation of nuclear tension,” he continued.
According to the Pope, they must rrespect for sovereignty and territorial integrity the rights of every country as well as the rights of minorities”. However, it is also necessary to reach an agreement “now” for the end of hostilities.
to the UN and the international community
Therefore, he said that although he was “sad” for the “great suffering” of the Ukrainian people, he also made the request. to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky is open to “any serious proposal for peace”. And likewise, the abbot asked all political actors. international community and UN “They did everything they could” ending the war and supporting dialogue initiatives.
This is how Francis expressed himself after months of increasingly denouncing the war in Ukraine, put aside diplomatic language This often characterizes Catholic leaders who, on more than one occasion, have drawn criticism from Kiev. “It is a pity that the world is learning about the geography of Ukraine through names such as Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol, Izium, Zaporizhzhia and other places that have become places of indescribable suffering and fear,” Francis said. For months, he tried to find a common front with the Orthodox Patriarch Kirill – unsuccessfully.