In a recent interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Pope Francis called on Ukraine to have the courage to negotiate an end to the ongoing war with Russia, suggesting that the country should not be ashamed to sit at the same table for peace talks. The pope's comments come as Russia gains momentum on the battlefield and Ukraine faces a possible defeat, with dwindling ammunition supplies and some Western allies cautiously raising the prospect of sending troops.
During the interview, which was recorded last month and partially released on Saturday, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of negotiation in the face of adversity. "I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates," he said, adding that talks should take place with the help of international powers.
The pope's use of the term "white flag" and his suggestion that Ukraine may be "defeated" mark a significant shift in his rhetoric regarding the conflict. While he has made numerous appeals for peace in "martyred Ukraine," this appears to be the first time he has employed such language in discussing the war.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued a statement of clarification after the pope's "white flag" comments sparked criticism, stating that Francis had picked up on the term used by the interviewer to "indicate a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations."
Throughout the war, Pope Francis has attempted to maintain the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality. However, his stance has often been accompanied by apparent sympathy with the Russian rationale for invading Ukraine, such as when he noted that NATO was "barking at Russia's door" with its eastward expansion.
In the RSI interview, the pope emphasized the importance of negotiation, stating, "The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate." He added that negotiations are never a surrender and reminded people that some countries, such as Turkey, have offered to act as mediators in the conflict.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose country has sought to balance its close relations with both Ukraine and Russia, recently offered to host a peace summit between the two countries during a visit from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Despite the pope's call for negotiations, Ukraine remains firm on not engaging directly with Russia on peace talks. President Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that the initiative in peace negotiations must belong to the country that has been invaded.
The pope's comments come at a critical juncture in the war, which is now in its third year. Last month, Zelenskyy revealed that 31,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the Russian invasion in February 2022, and tens of thousands of civilians had lost their lives in the occupied areas of the country.
As the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on both sides, the international community remains divided on the best approach to achieving peace. While some support Ukraine's right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, others, like Pope Francis, believe that negotiation and compromise may be necessary to end the bloodshed and suffering.
