Pope Francis’ comment that Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” and engage in negotiation to end its war with Russia was dismissed by the Ukrainian government and church leaders.
Russia
Nun on the Front Lines Says Ukraine Needs ‘Miracle’ to Resist Russia
Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, Sister Lucia Murashko has remained in Zaporizhzhia, a Ukrainian city about 40 miles from the front lines. Facing multiple opportunities, and even encouragement to leave, she said she stayed to respond to what God told her to do.
Knights of Columbus Begin a Novena for Peace in Ukraine
The Knights of Columbus are starting a novena for peace and healing in Ukraine Feb. 15 that will conclude Feb. 23, the day before the two-year anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. Catholic Leaders Call for ‘Peace and Accountability’ Between Israel and Hamas
With Israel and Hamas still unable to reach a deal to free hostages and halt their war, Catholic leaders in the northwest United States are calling for an agreement between the sides, as well as for them to negotiate a two-state solution for lasting peace.
Ukrainian Brothers’ Music Calls For Peace in War-Torn Country
When the Knights of Columbus held an awards ceremony on the eve of its recent 141st Supreme Convention, guests were treated to a performance by the Celtic folk band Scythian.
Pope Condemns Attacks on Civilian Targets After Caritas Warehouse Destroyed in Ukraine
Pope Francis has condemned the routine use of “conventional weapons” against civilian targets in a message to Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, sent the day after a warehouse in Ukraine containing 300 tons of humanitarian aid was destroyed in a Russian drone attack.
In Poland, Care for Ukraine Refugees Shifts From Immediate to Long-Term Needs
On March 9, 2022, Valentina Polischak fled Huliaipole, Ukraine. It was four days after Russian soldiers had invaded her small town in the southern part of the country, about 90 miles northwest of Mariupol, and “shot all of the cars and homes,” leaving it without running water or electricity.
Pope’s Peace Envoy Meets Ukraine Bishops Amid Fallout Over ‘Great Mother Russia’ Remarks
In a session with Catholic bishops from Ukraine Thursday, Sept. 7, Pope Francis’s personal peace envoy told the Ukrainian prelates that “victory” in the war with Russia would be “peace, and never the humiliation of the enemy.”
Pope Says Religion and Culture Can be Misused to Frighten and Oppress
When religion or culture is used to sow division or to impose a certain world view on others, it becomes an ideology, Pope Francis said.
After Russia Remarks Stir Outrage, Vatican Says Pope Never Intended to ‘Glorify Imperialist Logic’
Russian clergy and lay Catholics were “caught by surprise” by the pope’s remarks in a video call Aug. 25 to a youth gathering in St. Petersburg praising the country’s past empire and urging young people to “never give up this heritage.”
