Pope Francis believes that the “imperial interests” of various states, not just Russia, are involved in the conflict in Ukraine. Francis said this in an interview with the newspaper. Republic.
The Pope said he was ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, describing the Russian leader as a “cultured man”.
“In a little over a century there have been three world wars: 1914-1918, 1939-1945. and the present is also global. It started piecemeal, but all the major countries are involved. The battlefield was Ukraine. Everyone is fighting there,” he said.
According to Francis, imperial interests are involved in the conflict, “not just Russian, but other empires as well.”
“It is in the imperial spirit to eliminate nations,” he said.
The Pope said that he personally came to the Vatican Embassy of Russia immediately after the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine to express his readiness to go to Moscow “if the leadership of the Russian Federation leaves him a window for negotiation.” “
“Lavrov wrote to me gratefully, but pointed out that now was not the time,” Francis recalled.
The Pope had warned the Russians and Ukrainians before. forgive relative to each other.