Pope Francis has made several remarks that suggest he has succumbed to the Russian narrative of the war in Ukraine, noting that “the barking of NATO at the door” may have provoked Moscow.
Speaking with the Italian Corriere Della Serra on May 3, the spiritual leader of the Catholic church, said that “In Ukraine, it is other states that created the conflict.”
While Pope Francis did not specify which states he had in mind, he also questioned the rationale of supplying weapons to Ukraine, which are purportedly being tested there.
“Wars are fought for this: to test the arms we have made,” he said without specifying which arms need to be tested.
While he deplored the war’s brutality and denounced Patriarch Kirill for his backing of the incursion, he also exhibited a desire to pay a visit to Moscow where he wants to meet Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Although the Kremlin has ignored his request, Pope Francis is abstaining from visiting Kyiv as he “feels he shouldn’t go there.”
“I’m not going to Kyiv for now. I feel I shouldn’t go. I have to go to Moscow first, I have to meet Putin first,” he said.
Despite Pope Francis’s multiple attempts to establish a communication line with the Kremlin, Russia has been ignoring the Pontiff. According to reports, Moscow also ignored his request, issued thrice, to evacuate people in the besieged city of Mariupol.
The Pope’s Easter initiative involving a Russian and Ukrainian lady holding a cross together has caused a backlash in Ukraine where this act is regarded as an attempt to reconcile the rapist with the victim.
Since Russia re-invaded Ukraine on Feb.24, Pope Francis has been avoiding direct mention of who started the war, preferring to use vague formulations instead.
