Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of Ukraine embracing the courage to negotiate for peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia, which began with Moscow’s full-scale invasion two years ago.
The Pope’s remarks were made in a conversation recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, predating the latest offer by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia to facilitate an end to the war.
Erdogan’s renewed offer came after a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Istanbul.
Despite expressing a desire for peace, Zelenskiy has maintained a firm stance on not yielding any territory. His peace plan calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the restoration of its state borders. However, the Kremlin has rejected engaging in peace talks based on Kyiv’s terms.
In response to a question about the ongoing debate regarding Ukraine’s stance, Pope Francis acknowledged the interpretation of a “white flag” as a symbol of surrender but stressed that true strength lies in considering the situation, thinking about the people, and having the courage to negotiate.
He emphasized that negotiations should involve international powers, describing the word “negotiate” as a courageous one.
This interview marks the first instance of Pope Francis using terms like “white flag” or “defeated” in reference to the Ukraine war.
Although he has previously advocated for negotiations, the Pope reiterated the importance of negotiating before situations worsen, urging leaders not to be ashamed of seeking mediation.
Last year, Pope Francis sent a peace envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington to engage with leaders in those nations.
In discussing the conflict between Israel and Hamas in another part of the interview, the Pope asserted that negotiating is not a surrender.
As Ukraine continues to grapple with the impact of the conflict, Pope Francis emphasized the need to avoid further loss of life, stating that negotiating in time is crucial. Responding to questions about his willingness to mediate, the Pope affirmed, “I am here.”
In the same interview, Ukrainian President Zelenskiy disclosed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had lost their lives since the Russian invasion in February 2022, with tens of thousands of civilians killed in the occupied areas of the country. The interview is scheduled to be broadcast on March 20 as part of a new cultural program.
