The war against Ukraine: Pope criticizes Russian patriot Cyril

Pope Francis has criticized the position of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Cyril I, in the war in Ukraine. Francis said he should not make himself “Putin’s ally”.

The Pope is a patriot of the Russian Orthodox Church and has criticized his role in the Ukraine war. Cyril I publicly supported the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, causing irritation in some parts of the Orthodox Church.

In March, Francis spoke with Cyril I for 40 minutes via video. For the first 20 minutes, Cyril explained the reasons for the war with a map in his hand, Francis told the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera.

“I heard him say, ‘I do not understand anything about that, brother. We are not state clergy, we are not allowed to speak the language of politics. We must speak the language of Jesus.’ The patriot can not do that.

Francis prepares to move to Moscow

Francis is ready to go to Moscow to persuade Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. He reported the matter to the Russian president in mid-March, but no response was forthcoming, he told the newspaper. They continue to ask, “But I’m afraid Putin will not be able to hold this meeting at this time,” the pope continued.

A trip to Ukraine is not currently planned. “I think I should not go. First I have to go to Moscow, first I have to meet Putin,” Francis said. However he acknowledged that their numbers were not enough to defeat President Conte’s government. The newspaper reports that when Cyril asked if I could force Putin to open the door, the Pope shook his head.

A meeting with Cyril is scheduled for June 14 in Jerusalem. At the moment, however, both agree that this is a vague sign.

Pope repeats criticisms of arms distribution

Without questioning the basis of the right to self-defense, the Pope reiterated his doubts about the supply of arms to Ukraine. “I do not know how to respond. I’m far from the question of whether it is fair to offer to the Ukrainians.”

It was clear that weapons would be tested there. The Russians now know that their armored vehicles are somewhat useless “and are already thinking about other things”. Wars are waged to test manufactured weapons. In the conversation, the Pope compared the atrocities in Ukraine, among others, to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

“Russia never attacked anyone”

Meanwhile, Cyril I. reaffirms his position – and denies that Russia is waging a war of aggression. “We do not want to go to war against anyone, Russia has never attacked anyone,” said the head of the church at the Michael Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Moscow in the Kremlin. “This great and powerful country has never attacked anyone – it has only defended its borders.”