In Germany, Pope Francis’ statements about Ukraine are met with a lot of incomprehension – including in the Catholic Church itself. The Bishops’ Conference speaks of an “unfortunate” statement.
Pope Francis’ statements about the war in Ukraine have also drawn attention from representatives of the Catholic Church in Germany. The German Bishops’ Conference described the Pope’s statements as “unfortunate”, but at the same time defended him against the impression that he had suggested that Ukraine capitulate.
Francis had sparked massive opposition with an appeal for peace negotiations in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The 87-year-old also used the phrase “the white flag” in an interview on Swiss television. In times of war, the white flag is the legally regulated identification symbol of parliamentarians, i.e. negotiators, but it is also used as a sign of surrender.
Irritating formulation of the “white flag”
If there is clarity on this point, the next step could be to discuss how useful such an appeal to negotiations is, Kopp admitted and questioned, among other things, Moscow’s willingness to negotiate. Ukraine must decide for itself when the moment has come for peace negotiations. He suggests that the Holy See communicate “a clarification of the content of its position”.
Pope spokesman Matteo Bruni had previously contradicted claims that the Pope had called on Ukraine to surrender in the interview.
ZdK: Ukraine has every right to defend itself
The Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK) called on the Pope to appeal to Russia to end the war against Ukraine. “Ukraine has every right to defend itself,” the “Tagesspiegel” quoted ZdK President Irme Stetter-Karp as saying. “The ZdK continues to believe that the supply of weapons that serve this defense is necessary.”
Stetter-Karp also emphasized that the long-term restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity cannot be achieved through surrender. The ZdK condemned Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine early and unequivocally.
Moscow: Open to negotiations
In response to the Pope, the Kremlin emphasized its willingness to negotiate an end to the war. Russia sees the statements as a plea for negotiations, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, according to Russian news agencies. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly spoken about being ready and open to negotiations. “This is the preferred way,” Peskov said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the Pope’s appeal. In his daily video address on Sunday, he thanked all the clergy who supported the Ukrainian armed forces on the front line with prayers, conversations and actions, protecting life and humanity. Without mentioning the Pope, Zelensky added, apparently addressing him: “This is what the Church is: to be together with people, not two and a half thousand kilometers away, somewhere, to mediate virtually between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.”
Merz: Catholic Church is not free from error
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz also rejected the Pope’s statement: “As you can imagine, the Chancellor does not agree with the Pope on this issue,” government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit made clear. “It is true that Ukraine is defending itself against an aggressor.” Hebestreit pointed out that a Vatican spokesman’s assessment of the Pope’s statements had been noted.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz also strictly rejected the Pope’s statements. “Even as a member of the Catholic Church – I don’t share it. I think it’s fundamentally wrong,” he said. He was surprised by these statements. “You can see in history: the Catholic Church is not free from error either,” said Merz.
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) had previously criticized the Pope’s statement. “I don’t understand it in these times,” she said in the ARD-Broadcast Caren Miosga. Her party leader Omid Nouripour was also irritated. Against the background of Ukrainian losses, what Pope Francis said was “severely surprising.” “We must not forget one thing: If Russia stops fighting, the war is over. If Ukraine stops fighting, then Ukraine is over, under Russian occupation.”