Pope says he is ready to help Kyiv and Moscow stop the war
Pope Francis. Photo: VATICAN MEDIA Division
On November 18, 2022, Pope Francis stated that "the Holy See is ready to do everything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict in Ukraine." It is reported by vaticannews.va.
Pope Francis noted the Holy See constantly follows the situation and evaluates any hypothesis, "every glimpse that can lead to a real ceasefire and real negotiations." According to him, the Holy See seeks to develop a "network of relationships" that helps to bring the parties closer and find solutions, and does everything possible to help prisoners of war.
As it has been reiterated for several months, "the Holy See is willing to do everything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict,” the head of the Vatican said.
He expressed confidence in the possibility of establishing peace between Ukraine and Russia: "We will not give up, peace is possible."
However, in the first place, according to Francis, everyone must “commit themselves to demilitarize their hearts, starting from their own, and then to defuse and disarm violence.”
“We must all be pacifists, wanting peace, not just a truce that maybe only serves to rearm, but a true peace, which is the fruit of dialogue. Peace is not achieved with weapons, because they don't defeat hatred and the thirst for domination, which will re-emerge, perhaps in other ways,” added the Pope.
The head of the Vatican expressed his sympathy to the people of Ukraine and stressed that the Holy See "continues to offer humanitarian relief to suffering Ukrainians and support to prisoners of war."
The Pope also commented on the threat of a third world war and the nuclear threat. In his opinion, "behind all these tragedies there are hinger for power and arms trafficking." The pontiff also lamented that world wars did not make people wiser.
“Three world wars in one century! And we won't learn!” he stated.
As the UOJ wrote, earlier the Pope said that he has “love for the Russian and Ukrainian peoples.”
Read also
Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing
People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.
Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended
The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.
Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture
Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.
Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy
According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."
OCU cleric blames TRC for forced mobilization and kidnapping of parishioners
It is reported that the mobilized person was helping with repair work in the church.
Greek theologian explains why Churches do not accuse ROC Primate of heresy
A professor from the University of Athens explained why no Orthodox Church had condemned Patriarch Kirill as heretic so far.