In his speech, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked “every Ukrainian priest” who is with the army “on the front line.” The essence of the church, he said, is to be “with the people.” He added: – Not two and a half thousand kilometers from here. His statement came a day after Pope Francis spoke about the “white flag” in the context of Russia’s war with Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky Pope Francis rejected the Pope's call for talks with Russia, describing it as “virtual mediation” from a distance.
The President of Ukraine did not directly address Francis or his comments in his late-night video address, but he did say so The Pope's ideas have nothing to do with the efforts made Clergy in Ukraine to help the country. – I would like to thank every Ukrainian chaplain working in the army and defense forces. There, on the front line. He said they protect life and humanity.
Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the Pope's words
– They support us with prayer, discussion and action. “This is how the Church is with the people,” Volodymyr Zelensky said. – Not two and a half thousand kilometers from here – A place where you can participate in virtual mediation between those who want to live and those who want to destroy you. Thank you to everyone who is doing everything in and with Ukraine to save lives. He added: Thank you to everyone who helps and who has been truly close – through work and prayer.
See: Ukraine. Presidential referendum. Volodymyr Zelensky will lose the elections
He stated that there were previously many white walls of houses and churches in Ukraine that were now burned and destroyed by Russian missiles. – This speaks very eloquently of the truth Which must stop until the war ends – confirmed the President of Ukraine.
Francis' words about Ukraine spread around the world
The words of the President of Ukraine are: In response to Pope Francis' statement, who said in an interview with the Swiss RSI that Ukraine should show “white flag” courage and not have any concerns about negotiating with Russia. – When you see that you are defeated and things are not going well, you must have the courage to negotiate – said the head of the church.
These words were met with negative reception. The head of the Polish Foreign Ministry, Radoslaw Sikorski, wrote online that “perhaps it should be up to Putin to withdraw his army from Ukraine.” The head of Ukrainian diplomacy spoke in a similar tone. “The strongest is he who stands on the side of good in the struggle between good and evil,” he wrote. Dmytro Kuleba, Recalling at the same time that the Pope has not visited Ukraine since the beginning of the intense aggression.
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