The gist Pope Francis fumes in an interview with European Jesuit magazines against abuses perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine. He specifically mentioned the idea that “World War III” had already been declared for him.
Pope Francis has denounced the “ferocity” of Russian troops in the face of a “brave” Ukrainian people while saying the war “could have been provoked”. In an interview with European Jesuit magazines conducted last month and published by Italian magazine La Civilta Cattolica on Tuesday, the pope refused to “reduce” the ongoing conflict to “a distinction between the good and the bad.”
“What we are seeing is the brutality and ferocity with which this war is being waged by the troops, usually mercenaries, deployed by the Russians. The Russians prefer to send Chechens, Syrians, mercenaries,” lamented Francis, who has escalated calls for peace since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
“Monstrous”
“But the danger is that we only see what is egregious without seeing all the drama that is playing out behind this war that was in some ways provoked or not prevented,” he said. before condemning the arms industry again.
“You could say to me at this point: ‘But you’re for Putin!’ No, I’m not. It would be simplistic and wrong to say such a thing,” added the Catholic spiritual leader, who felt it necessary to “reflect on the roots and interests” of this conflict, “which are very complex”.
“It’s also true that the Russians thought it would all be over in a week. But they miscalculated. They found a brave people, a people who are fighting for survival and who have a history of fighting,” the -year-old added Argentine Pope.
Warning “a few months before the start of the war”
“Today the Third World War was declared for me. And that should get us thinking. What is happening to humanity that has endured three world wars in a century?” asked Francois.
The pope also said he had been warned by “a head of state” “a few months before the start of the war”. This head of state, “a wise man who speaks little”, said François, who did not name him, “was very concerned about the development of NATO”. “I asked him why, and he said, ‘They are barking at the gates of Russia. And they do not understand that the Russians are (an) imperial power and do not allow any foreign power to approach them.’ situation could lead to war'” said the Holy Father.
On May 3, in an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the Pope himself said that the Kremlin’s “anger” was relieved by “NATO’s barking at Russia’s door.”