Pope again calls for negotiations, which would freeze war to Russia’s benefit

During his Easter Sunday Mass earlier this month, Pope Francis appealed for a ceasefire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Now, when asked by CBS if he could help negotiate peace in Gaza and Ukraine, he replied, "I can pray," and added, "I do. I pray a lot." Earlier into the all-out war, the pontiff said several times that the Vatican was ready to mediate between Russia and Ukraine.

The pontiff told NBC that he is in touch with a parish in Gaza every day and receives updates on the situation, but did not mention any contacts with Ukrainian Catholics, but said he noticed the devastating effects that Russia's war had on Ukrainian children:

"Those kids don't know how to smile," the pope told CBS. "I tell them something, but they forgot how to smile. And this is very hard when a child forgets to smile. That's really very serious. Very serious."

Pope controversies

In an early March interview with a Swiss broadcaster, Pope Francis suggested Ukraine should consider negotiating with Russia, stating, that he believes that those who have "the courage to raise the white flag and to negotiate are stronger," "negotiating is never a surrender," and "it is the courage not to lead the country to suicide.” 

The statement predictably prompted strong responses, with Ukrainian Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticizing it, Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba saying, "Our flag is a yellow and blue one. We shall never raise any other flags," and Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Vatican planning a meeting with Pope Francis to convey several “fundamental points for Ukraine."

In late 2022, several months into Russia's full-scale invasion, Pope Francis explained his unclear statements regarding Russia's war, saying,

"Certainly, the one who invades is the Russian state. This is very clear. Sometimes I try not to specify so as not to offend and rather condemn in general, although it is well known whom I am condemning."