According to the Holy See, Pope Francis’ recent remarks on a vehicle bombing that murdered the daughter of a Putin supporter should not be regarded as taking a “political stance.”
The Vatican likewise referred to the Russia–Ukraine conflict as a “large-scale war in Ukraine, begun by the Russian Federation” in a statement issued on August 30.
Some of Pope Francis’ statements, such as one he made in a June interview suggesting Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine was “maybe somehow instigated,” have drawn criticism since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His portrayal of Darya Dugina’s death on August 20—a 29-year-old journalist and political analyst renowned for her support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—was also criticized last week by the Ukrainian Vatican Ambassador.
Aleksandr Dugin, a Russian political theorist seen as sympathetic to Putin, was the father of Dugina.
Pope Francis has given “many statements” on the Ukraine War, according to an anonymous message from the Holy See, “primarily geared at urging pastors and the faithful to prayer, as well as all people of goodwill to solidarity and efforts to reconstruct peace.”
The Holy See emphasized that the statements of the Holy Father should not be seen as adopting a political position but rather as a voice raised in support of human life and the ideals associated with it.
The Vatican’s statement seemed to make reference to criticism of Pope Francis’ call for an end to the conflict in Ukraine on August 24, in which he mentioned Dugina’s death.
“I consider that unfortunate child who was killed in Moscow when a bomb detonated beneath her car seat. The victims of war are the innocent! At the conclusion of his public audience, Pope Francis said, “Let us reflect on this fact and proclaim to one another: war is folly.
Andrii Yurash, the ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See, attacked Francis’ comments on Twitter, noting that they “were unsatisfactory” and confused the terms “aggressor and victim.”
In a statement, the Holy See noted that there had been “public debates on more than one occasion, as well as in recent days, about the political importance to be attributed to [Pope Francis’] words” on the conflict in Ukraine.
The statement added, “Holy Father Francis’ words are clear and explicit in denouncing the large-scale conflict in Ukraine, instigated by the Russian Federation, as morally unfair, immoral, brutal, stupid, repulsive, and sacrilegious.
The most recent time Pope Francis brought up Ukraine was when he visited the town of L’Aquila in central Italy on August 28.
“Let us pray for the people of Ukraine and for all those who suffer due to conflict,” he said after conducting the Angelus. May the God of peace rekindle in the hearts of world leaders a human and Christian feeling of sympathy and kindness. Please pray for us, Mary, Mother of Mercy and Queen of Peace.