BREAKING Vatican Clarifies that Pope Francis' Remarks on Ukraine Meant Negotiations not Surrender


The Vatican issued a statement by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, responding to journalists regarding Pope Francis’ statements in an interview with a Swiss TV station (Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS)), saying “the Pope picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. His hope is for a diplomatic solution for a just and lasting peace.” Some people on social media were accusing the pope of calling on Ukraine to surrender but this was not the case; and the citation was taken out of context.

Pope Francis intended to call for a ceasefire and to engage in the courage of negotiation.

Matteo Bruni, responded to journalists' questions on Saturday evening regarding the interview, a portion of which was published earlier in the day.

Mr. Bruni said that the Pope’s desire for Ukraine, which he always describes as “martyred,” was fully expressed in his words at the Angelus on February 25, the day after second anniversary of the outbreak of the war.

On that occasion, the Pope reaffirmed his “deep affection” for the Ukrainian people. He also invited all parties to “create the conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace.”

“The Pope,” clarified Mr. Bruni, “uses the term white flag, and responds by picking up the image proposed by the interviewer, to indicate a cessation of hostilities, a truce reached with the courage of negotiation. Elsewhere in the interview, speaking of another situation of conflict, but referring to every situation of war, the Pope clearly stated: ‘Negotiations are never a surrender.’”

In the interview, the interviewer Lorenzo Buccella asks the Pope: “In Ukraine, some call for the courage of surrender, of the white flag. But others say that this would legitimize the stronger party. What do you think?”

Pope Francis replied: “That is one interpretation. But I believe that the stronger one is the one who sees the situation, who thinks of the people, who has the courage of the white flag, to negotiate. And today, negotiations are possible with the help of international powers. The word ‘negotiate’ is a couragous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, it is necessary to have the courage to negotiate. You may feel ashamed, but with how many deaths will it end? Negotiate in time; look for some country that can mediate. Today, for example in the war in Ukraine, there are many who want to mediate. Turkey has offered itself for this. And others. Do not be ashamed to negotiate before things get worse.”

Thus, the Pope's words, taken from an image proposed by the interviewer, reiterate, among other things, what has already been stated in these two years of continuous appeals and public statements, namely the importance of dialogue.

“The Pope's hope," reaffirmed Mr. Bruni, “is and remains that which he has always repeated in these years, and reiterated recently on the occasion of the second anniversary of the conflict: ‘As I renew my very deep affection for the martyred Ukrainian people and pray for all, especially for the many innocent victims, I implore that a little bit of humanity can be found that allows the creation of the conditions for a diplomatic solution in search of a just and lasting peace'.”

Source: Vatican News

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