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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

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

Putin, Macron discuss Iran, Ukraine crisis in first call since 2022

Putin-Trump meeting in Istanbul requires mutual consent: Kremlin

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

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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