Ukraine Criticizes ‘Pope Francis’s Statements’
Ukrainian officials strongly criticized Pope Francis’s statement that “Kyiv” should have the courage to negotiate to end the war with Russia.
Ukrainian officials and the country’s allies criticized Pope Francis’s statement about Kyiv negotiating with Russia to end the war. In their view, Pope Francis’s statements contained a request for Ukraine to surrender to Russia.
“Sviatoslav Shevchuk,” Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, during a ceremony on Sunday, referring to the fact that surrender has no place in the minds of Ukrainians, emphasized: “Ukraine, although wounded and exhausted, stands against Russia and will continue to resist.”
“Matteo Bruni,” Vatican spokesman, following harsh criticism of Pope Francis’s statements, said: “Pope Francis’s intention is to support the cessation of hostilities and ceasefire achieved through courageous negotiations, not the end of a war resulting from Ukraine’s mere surrender. Pope Francis’s use of the white flag was in response to a journalist’s question, whereas the white flag is not a term used by the Pope.”
Criticism of the Vatican intensified as Pope Francis had throughout the war attempted to maintain the Vatican’s traditional diplomatic neutrality.
