The call from Pope Francis urging Ukraine to display “courage” and engage in negotiations to end the war with Russia has been met with backlash from Ukrainian officials and their allies. The Pope’s reference to “the courage of the white flag,” interpreted by many as a suggestion for Ukraine to capitulate, has sparked criticism.
Poland’s Foreign Minister, a staunch supporter of Kyiv, and Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican have both voiced their disagreements, using World War II references to challenge the Pope’s stance. Additionally, a Ukrainian Christian church leader emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s steadfast resistance against Russian military actions, which he believes has averted a widespread massacre of civilians.
An interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded last month and released partially on Saturday, sheds light on Pope Francis’s contentious words. He implied that Ukraine should consider peace talks, especially in the face of potential defeat.
“How about, for balance, encouraging Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine? Peace would immediately ensue without the need for negotiations,” was Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski’s rebuttal in a post on X, previously known as Twitter.
In accordance, Sikorski related the Pope’s call for talks to the “appeasement” policy towards Hitler prior to World War II.
Furthermore, Andrii Yurash, the Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, stated on X that the lessons from the past war must be heeded, alluding to the misguided efforts to negotiate with Hitler at that time.
A Vatican spokesperson later clarified that Pope Francis advocated for a truce and a cessation of hostilities through negotiation, not for Ukraine to surrender. Journalist Matteo Bruni highlighted that the phrase “white flag” originated from the interviewer’s question and was not the Pope’s own phrasing.
Despite calls for dialogue, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains steadfast that Ukraine will not negotiate directly with Russia and holds that peace initiatives should come from the aggressed nation.
Pope Francis has strived to uphold the Vatican’s historical diplomatic neutrality, occasionally expressing perspectives that seemingly align with the rationale behind Russia’s invasion. His latest mention of terms like “white flag” or “defeated” in the context of the conflict is seen as a departure from previous statements.
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has firmly stated that surrender is not a consideration for Ukrainians, highlighting their determination to resist and prevail despite the horrors experienced in areas like Bucha.
Moreover, in his Angelus prayer, Pope Francis voiced his hopes for an end to the suffering in Ukraine, urging a swift resolution to the hostilities that inflict immense pain on the civilian population.
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AP journalists Nicole Winfield, Giada Zampano from Rome, and Vanessa Gera from Warsaw contributed to this report.
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For further details on the war in Ukraine, refer to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
FAQ Section:
- What did Pope Francis say that caused controversy?
Pope Francis mentioned Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” to end the war with Russia, which was construed by many as a suggestion for Ukraine to capitulate. - How did Ukrainian and allied officials react to the Pope’s comments?
They criticized his remarks, drawing parallels to appeasement policies of the World War II era and emphasizing the need for continued resistance. - Did the Vatican clarify the Pope’s comments?
Yes, a Vatican spokesman clarified that the Pope was advocating for a truce achieved through the courage of negotiations, not surrender.
Conclusion:
The recent comments by Pope Francis touching on the conflict in Ukraine have ignited a significant debate amongst Ukrainian officials and their allies. Despite a clarification from the Vatican, the initial interpretation of his remarks as an encouragement for Ukraine to seek peace through potential surrender caused disappointment and disapproval from those supporting Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression. This event underscores the sensitivity surrounding diplomatic discourse in times of conflict and the varied expectations placed on influential global figures like the Pope in their responses to international crises.