Pope on war in Ukraine: 'Do not be ashamed to negotiate.
Pope Francis has been an emphatic advocate for peace in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and his words have resounded with a clear call for negotiations[^1][^2][^5]. In an interview with Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) recorded in early February and aired on March 20, 2024, the Pope urged both parties in the war to negotiate, deeming negotiations as "never a surrender"[^1]. "When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," he said, adding that it takes courage to prevent a country from "suicide"[^1][^5]. However, the Pope's words stirred backlash from Ukrainian voices, considering them as suggesting surrender[^2]. The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, Andriy Yurash, and Ukraine's foreign minister, Dmitro Kuleba, among others, criticized the Pope's remarks[^2]. The Vatican later clarified that the Pope's message was not advocating surrender, but ...