How did Pope Francis try to stop the Ukraine war

« It was the year 2022, and Europe and the whole world were shocked by the Russian invasion.

Putin had given the war order, and the Pope tried to stop him.

Immediately after the invasion started, he directly contacted Patriarch Kirill.

Also told the discussion with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church:

« I talked to Kirill 40 minutes through the zoom.

He read all the justifications for the war. I listened to him and said: I don’t understand anything.

Brother, we are not state clergy, we cannot use the language of politics, but that of Jesus.

We are shepherds of the same holy people of God.

For this, we must seek peace routes to put an end to the war. ”

The war continued, without the Russian Orthodox Church to change something in its development. On the contrary.

In March, last year, when the Russians stopped the Ukrainian offensive, who had no more obusuctions and weapons, the Pope spoke about negotiations.

This time, the statement needed additional explanations.

This is because of the expression « white flag », used with reference to Ukraine and peace negotiations.

The one who interviewed the pope actually used the term « white flag » in the question. Pope took over in response.

Which, at that moment, aroused misunderstandings and dissatisfaction with Kiev.

The Sovereign Pontiff replied in the interview, I quote:

« I think the strongest is the one who concerns the situation, thinks of people and has the courage of the white flag and negotiates.

Negotiations should take place with the help of international powers.

The word « negotiation » is a brave word. « 

The Vatican Secretary of State subsequently completed the statement, saying:

« The aggressors should be the ones who cease to shoot.

The human will that caused this tragedy also has the possibility, and the responsibility to take measures to put an end to it. ”

The pope later made many references to the Ukraine war in his sermons, but was not heard in Moscow.

Neither Putin nor Kirill stopped the bombings.

Today, when he found out about his death, the Kremlin published a telegram of condolences in which Putin says:

« He actively contributed to the development of the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church and to a constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See. »

Pope Francis met three times a little. Last time in 2019, when he spoke about the war, Syria and Ukraine. This picture is since then.

Normally, I would end the text here, but I want to remind you of a historical legend.

I call him « legend », because some historians have not seen evidence, and the story is based only on witnesses’ statements.

After World War II, Churchill would have told Stalin that, in peace negotiations, Pope should be involved.

It happened to Ialta, and Comrade Stalin would have been cynically replicated: « How many divisions does Pope have? »

After other versions, Stalin asked: « How many divisions fought for the Pope in the war? »

The British prime minister would have later told Pope Pius the cynical question of Joseph Stalin.

To which Pius would have answered:

« When you see our son Joseph, tell him he will meet our divisions in heaven. », The journalist noted on his Facebook page.