Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

Pope urges Kiev to pursue 'courage of the white flag' in peace talks

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Mar 2024 23:43
4 Min Read

This marked the first time Francis employs terms like "white flag" or "defeated" in discussing the Ukraine war.

  • x
  • Pope
    Pope Francis visits the parish church of St. Pius V for the "24 hours for the Lord" Lenten initiative of prayer and reconciliation, in Rome, Friday, March 8, 2024 (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

In an interview recorded last month with Swiss broadcaster RSI, Pope Francis said that Ukraine should demonstrate what he described as the bravery of the "white flag" and engage in negotiations to conclude the war with Russia.

The issue of this interview comes as Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan offered to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia. The offer was presented after a meeting in Istanbul with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.

While Zelensky claimed he wanted peace, he also stated that he did not want to lose any territory.

Zelensky's own peace plan involves the withdrawal of Russian troops even from Crimea and the restoration of 1991 state borders, conditions which have been ruled out by the Kremlin regarding a potential peace talk.

Read more: West was 'overly optimistic' about Ukraine in 2023: NATO commander

In the interview, Francis was queried about his stance on a debate concerning Ukraine's response to the conflict, with one side suggesting surrender due to the inability to resist Russian forces, while the other side argues that capitulation would validate the actions of the stronger party. The interviewer referenced the term "white flag" in posing the question. 

"It is one interpretation, that is true," Francis said in the interview. "But I think that the strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates."

Francis further suggested that discussions should be facilitated with the assistance of global actors.

"The word negotiate is a courageous word. When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate," Francis said.

Related News

European officials fear new Russian offensive in Donetsk

Macron and Starmer to lead Paris talks on 'Coalition of the Willing'

It is believed to be the first instance of Francis employing phrases like "white flag" or "defeated" when addressing the war in Ukraine, notwithstanding his previous remarks advocating for diplomatic dialogue.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the pope employed the term "white flag" as it was used by the interviewer. He further used it "to indicate a stop to hostilities (and) a truce achieved with the courage of negotiations".

Read more: Putin: Ukraine war a 'great tragedy' resulting from Western desires

Last year, the 87-year-old pontiff dispatched a peace envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Kiev, Moscow, and Washington to engage with leaders in those nations.

"One may feel shame," Francis said about negotiating, "but how many dead will it (the war) end up with? (One should) negotiate in time, find a country that can be a mediator," Francis said, mentioning Turkey among the countries that had offered.

"Do not be ashamed of negotiating, before things get worse," said Francis, who has made hundreds of appeals for what he calls "martyred Ukraine". When asked about the potential to personally mediate the conflict, Francis said "I am here".

Elsewhere during the interview, Francis spoke on the war on Gaza, suggesting that "negotiating is never a surrender". But unlike the war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza involves a genocide, an important aspect of the war that the Pope failed to consider.

Pope Francis, pro-Russia?

In August 2023, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak called Pope Francis a "tool of Russian propaganda" who supports the establishment of a "Russian world", after Pope Francis convened with Catholic youth from Russia on August 25, 2023 via teleconference.

During the conference, he reportedly urged them to put in effort for "reconciliation", reminding them to never abandon their great cultural heritage.

Podolyak expressed to the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera: "It seems that the Pope has once again become a tool of Russian propaganda," adding that the pontiff's address was "destructive for modern humanism."  

Read more: Lithuania calls in Vatican envoy over Pope's remarks on Russia

  • Ukraine crisis
  • Russia
  • Russian special military operation
  • Pope Francis
  • Ukraine
  • Vatican

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS