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 instead urging negotiations to protect the civilian population and secure a just and lasting peace[^2].

In his appeals, Pope Francis has also expressed concern for the civilian casualties, lamenting the death and displacement of innocent people, especially children[^1][^4]. He described the war as "inhuman" and "sacrilegious," going against the "sacredness of human life"[^4]. He has also expressed concern over the influence of the arms industry on wars, stating that behind every war, there is the arms industry, which implies money^[1^].

In a stark portrayal of the horrors of war, he recalled an event during his Sunday Angelus prayer on January 26, 2014, when two doves, a symbol of peace, were released and then attacked by a black crow and a seagull[^1]. "Many innocent people cannot grow, many children have no future", he observed, adding that "war is always a defeat: a human defeat, not a geographic one"[^1].

Pope Francis has called for international powers to assist in the negotiations, acknowledging that nations like Turkey have offered to mediate[^1][^5]. Reiterating his commitment to peace, he invited all Christians to join him in making a solemn Act of Consecration of humanity, especially of Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary[^4].

Sources:

[^1]: Vatican News

[^2]: America Magazine

[^4]: Vatican News

[^5]: AP News