“Nothing can shake the harmony and unity of the multinational Russian people,” said Alexander Avdeev, the Russian Ambassador to the Vatican. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
He said he made a “strong protest” to the Vatican’s diplomatic service after Pope Francis of Rome made statements about the alleged extraordinary persecution of Buryat and Chechen military personnel by the RF Armed Forces.
Avdeev also expressed anger at the “implications” made by the pope.
In an interview with the Christian magazine America, Pope Francis called it “the most brutal [мучителями]”During the military operation of the RF Armed Forces in Ukraine, allegedly “people from Russia who did not follow the Russian tradition – Chechens, Buryats, etc.
“When I talk about Ukraine, I am talking about martyrs. And if there are martyrs, then there are torturers. When I talk about Ukraine, I’m talking about atrocities – because I know a lot about the atrocities of the incoming soldiers. The Russian state has invaded, it’s clear as day. Although it is sometimes clear exactly who I am condemning, in general I try not to specify so as not to offend to condemn. It is not necessary to give his first and last name, ”said Francis.
On November 28, Francis expressed his desire to visit both Kiev and Moscow. He added that he is working to compile lists of prisoners and inmates for the exchange. The head of the Vatican’s foreign service, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, said the Pope was ready to provide space for Ukraine talks. Francis also repeatedly summoned the presidents of the Russian Federation and Ukraine for peace negotiations.
reaction in Russia
The words of the Pope about Chechens and Buryats caused a storm of indignation among the authorities of the Russian Federation and the clergy. Chechen parliament spokesman Magomed Daudov said that Chechen and Buryat security forces had not committed a single war crime.
“I do not know how the Pope confirmed his allegations, but from the point of view of the representatives of our peoples there is not a single case of war crimes. If he had taken the trouble to listen to the inhabitants of the liberated areas, he would have learned that Chechen fighters, like the Buryats and representatives of hundreds of other peoples of the Russian Federation, are saviors for these people, ”Daudov said.
The head of the Buddhist traditional sangha of Russia XXIV. Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, who is of Buryat descent, also interpreted Francis’s words. “Unexpectedly and unexpectedly, the head of Catholics around the world had to say nasty words about our people,” he said.
The head of Buddhists added that “European Latinos” do not understand that life in Siberia and the Far East “makes people stronger and more patient.” “Since our people are not cruel, they have to defend their homeland against fascism repeatedly and sufficiently, like our grandparents and great-grandfathers,” the Lama added.
The words of the Pope of Rome were also appreciated in the Russian Orthodox Church – the Exarch of the African Patriarch Klin Metropolitan Leonid said that Francis allegedly made another critical mistake.
“The West, including the Roman Catholic Church, has long ceased to be a barometer of morality and honesty (or was it at all!). <...> The Pope accumulates the bile of critical errors at an extraordinary rate. Metropolitan, we are waiting for an explanation from the papal court about what and how we “misunderstood” on the Telegram channel.
Buryatia’s president, Alexei Tsydenov, condemned the “representatives of civilized nations” for the genocide against Indians in America, the Crusades, the bombing of Belgrade and Tripoli by NATO forces. According to the official, Buryats, Chechens and other peoples of the Russian Federation did not participate in these crimes.
“It is strange, at least, to hear an assessment from the head of the Catholic Church about the persecution of certain nationalities – namely, Buryats and Chechens, who protect the civilian population. And if our soldiers are spotted, it means they’re doing their job well. Gentlemen, we are proud of you! Allah is with those who are right about them!” Tsydenov said.
In an interview with America magazine, Pope Francis also said that he is ready to come to Kiev if he also visits Moscow. The Pope added that he has repeatedly sent lists of Ukrainian prisoners of war to the Russian authorities and has always received a positive response to the request for a prisoner exchange.
According to TASS, citing a source in the Vatican, the papacy appreciates relations with the Russian Federation and hopes they will improve.
The interlocutor of the Russian agency added that the curia will control the translation of Pope Francis’ words about Buryats and Chechens. The source added that the Vatican “does not want to offend the peoples of Russia”. “We will find out, we will double-check the translations,” he said.
Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described Francis’s remarks as “heresy” the previous day.
“This is no longer anti-Russian, it’s heresy, I don’t even know at what level” (quote from TASS) stressed. “Remember, in the nineties and early 2000s we were told exactly the opposite, these are Russians, Slavs who tortured Caucasian peoples, now we are told that Caucasian peoples torture. Russians. You must be a pervert of the truth, ”said the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Finally, he commented on the words of Francis and Konstantin Kosachev, Vice-President of the Federation Council.
“This statement is absolutely unacceptable both in form and content,” Kosachev said at the opening of the historical documentary exhibition “The Great Patriotic War”. June 22, 1941 – November 19, 1942.
In his view, neither the head of the Roman Catholic Church nor the Vatican should comment on a situation that has nothing to do with it. According to Kosachev, the words of the Pope of Rome are “wrong” – and “it is surprising that they came out of the mouth of one of the leaders of Christianity.”
Kosachev accused the priest of drawing “a dividing line between representatives of various peoples and religions”. “I would not attribute this statement to peacekeeping,” said the parliamentarian.
Source: Gazeta
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.