the war in Ukraine was started by “the Russian Federation”

Pope Francis has referred in recent months in several occasions in favor of peace in Ukraine and in defense of life, and has condemned the conflict as unjust and unacceptable, the Vatican said in a statement today, following recent criticism of the pontiff for his lack of clear condemnation of Russia.

“In the context of the war in Ukraine, there are numerous interventions by the Holy Father Francis and his collaborators in this regard. Their main purpose is to invite pastors and faithful to prayer, and all people of good will to solidarity and peace-building effort. On more than one occasion, as well as in recent days, there have been public debates about the political significance to be attributed to such interventions,” the Vatican said.

“In this regard, it is reiterated that the words of the Holy Father on this dramatic issue must be read as a voice that is raised in defense of human life and the values ​​connected to it, and not as political positions. As for the large-scale war in Ukraine, launched by the Russian Federationthe interventions of the Holy Father Francis are clear and unequivocal in condemning it as morally unjust, unacceptable, barbaric, senseless, repugnant and sacrilegious,” he added.

[La última señal de Francisco: su visita a la tumba del primer Papa que renunció al cargo]

The Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, Andri Yurashcriticized last Wednesday the pope’s words about the innocents who are paying for the war in Ukraine and the mention as an example of the attack on Darya Dugina, daughter of what is considered the ideologue of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Aleksandr Dugin.

Francis in his words on Wednesday had stated: “Many wounded, many Ukrainian children and Russian children were orphaned. Orphans have no nationality, they have lost their father and mother, who are Russians, who are Ukrainians. I think of so much cruelty to so many innocent people who are paying for this madness everywherebecause war is madness”, recalling the six months since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian diplomacy responded immediately denouncing that the aggressor and the victim were being put on the same level, and two days later the country’s Foreign Ministry summoned the apolitical nuncio (ambassador), Visvaldas Kulbokas, to express their protest.

Ukraine’s reaction chills the possibility that Jorge Bergoglio will travel to kyiv as he has expressed his intention and after the invitation of the country’s authorities.