Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, recently addressed Ukrainians’ discontent with Pope Francis’s stance on the ongoing war.
Speaking at a book launch for “Lezioni ucraine” (Ukrainian Lessons), the Archbishop acknowledged the palpable disappointment amongst the Ukrainians regarding the Pope’s peace advocacy.
However, Archbishop Gallagher emphasized that Pope Francis’s call for peace is not mere ‘pious wishful thinking’ but a brave stand against the inevitability of war.
The Pope’s primary motivation, he clarified, was to inspire dialogue and peace, using the language of Jesus, not politics. Despite these noble intentions, the Archbishop acknowledged the widespread rejection of the Pope’s peace prophecy.
In light of the persistent conflict, the Archbishop emphasized the Church’s continued presence and support for the Ukrainian people. The Apostolic Nuncio remains in the war-torn capital, Kyiv, as other embassies relocated, symbolizing the Church’s solidarity with the afflicted populace. The Church’s humanitarian initiatives further substantiate the Pope’s clear stand on the aggressor-victim dynamics in the conflict.
Archbishop Gallagher calls on everyone to share the responsibility of steering the current tragedy towards a positive turn, by promoting peace and truth. He appeals for a shift from the prevailing ‘logic of war’ and instead advocated for fostering trust and engaging in creative dialogue to halt the devastating conflict.
Pray for peace!
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