Although some consider the institution of the Pope an outdated phenomenon, the authority of the Church Prince is still such that his statements can lead to outrage.
This was also the case last weekend, when images were distributed by the Swiss broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) in which Pope Francis advocates peace negotiations to end wars such as in Ukraine and Gaza. The footage is part of a longer interview that will be broadcast later this month.
The plea for negotiations between Israel and Hamas was received with great approval. The Secretary General of the United Nations supported the Pope in calling for a ceasefire there. However, Francis’ plea to get the governments of Ukraine and Russia to talk about peace sparked anger in Kyiv.
Understandable. Based on media reports, the Ukrainian government and armed forces are finding it increasingly difficult to push back the Russian invasion force, partly due to a lack of suitable ammunition from the West. If President Zelensky needs anything, it is more military support. Anything that undermines that complicates the liberation of his country.
Yet there is certainly something to be said for the Pope’s encouragement. Strictly speaking, he is ‘just’ doing his job as Christ’s vicar on earth. By standing up for victims of the madness that is war and pointing out the possibility of peace, he offers a serious counterbalance to the increasing arms race.
The question is whether Francis should have done things differently. For example, by addressing his Russian Orthodox colleague, the Patriarch of Moscow, who has always nodded in agreement behind Russian President Putin. That may have already happened. So far we only know part of the Swiss interview.
In the meantime, there is no doubt that the defense and liberation of the democratic, sovereign and future member of the European Union Ukraine comes at a high price. The precise amount is not determined by the pope and church, but by politicians. It may not hurt to point out that politicians, other than the Pope, are elected. By a majority of right-thinking citizens, who are informed on the basis of arguments for and against.