Pope Francis stance on Ukraine is not political stance: Vatican
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As the Pope and officials of the Vatican have made several statements regarding the war in Ukraine, the Holy See clarifies that they should not be taken as a political position.
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Pope Francis delivers his speech as he celebrates mass in front of the St. Mary in Collemaggio Basilica, in L'Aquila, central Italy, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022 (AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis)
Pope Francis' statements regarding the conflict in Ukraine should not be taken as a political position, but as a "voice in defense of human life," the Holy See press office said on Tuesday.
The Pope and other officials of the Vatican have made several statements regarding the war in Ukraine. According to the Holy See, these statements aim to "invite pastors and the faithful to prayer" to rebuild peace.
"In this regard, it is reiterated that the Holy Father's words on this dramatic issue should be interpreted as a voice raised in defense of human life and the values associated with it, and not as a political stance. As for the large-scale war in Ukraine, initiated by the Russian Federation, the Holy Father Francis' interventions are clear and unequivocal in condemning it as morally unjust, unacceptable, barbaric, senseless, repugnant, and sacrilegious," the Holy See said in a statement.
During the weekly general audience last week, Pope Francis commented on the death of Russian journalist Darya Dugina, saying it is an example of "the madness of war," and of the "innocents" who pay its price.
Read: Pope Francis decries Darya Dugina attack a day after memorial
In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry summoned the Holy See's diplomatic mission to Ukraine to express dissatisfaction with the prayer for Dugina and urged Pope Francis to avoid "unfair statements that cause disappointment in Ukrainian society" in the future.
Read: Zelensky calls on Pope to mediate in Ukraine
Darya Dugina was murdered on the evening of August 20 in a car explosion in the outskirts of Moscow. She and her father were leaving an event, where Dugin was a speaker, in separate vehicles. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Monday that the Ukrainian intelligence services were behind the murder of Dugina and named the perpetrator as Ukrainian citizen Natalya Vovk.
