VATICAN (CNS): “The Holy See is willing to do everything possible to mediate and end the conflict in Ukraine,” Pope Francis said in an interview with the Italian newspaper, La Stampa, on November 18.
“We are continually watching as the situation evolves” concerning ways the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts could help, he said, adding that the Vatican Secretariat of State is working diligently every day, looking at every possibility and “giving weight to every opening that could lead to a real ceasefire and real negotiations.”
The pope said, “We are trying to develop a network of relationships that will foster a rapprochement between the parties, to find solutions. Also, the Holy See does what it must to help the prisoners,” as well as provide humanitarian support “for the people of tormented Ukraine, whom I carry in my heart along with their suffering.”
Asked about the prospects for reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine, the pope said, “I have hope. Let’s not resign ourselves, peace is possible.”
He stressed that all must strive to demilitarize hearts “starting with our own, and then defuse, disarm violence. We must all be pacifists.”
The Holy See is willing to do everything possible to mediate and end the conflict in Ukraine
Pope Francis
He emphasized that teal peace comes only from dialogue, pointing out, “You don’t get it with weapons because they don’t defeat hatred and the thirst for domination, which will reemerge.”
Commenting on the string of wars countries around the world have engaged in over just the last 100 years, the pope said, “It is absurd.” But what makes it even more infuriating and sad is knowing that “behind all these tragedies are the lust for power and the arms trade.”
He noted, “When empires grow weak, they seek to wage war to feel strong, and also to sell weapons.”
Pope Francis mused, “I was told that if no weapons were made and sold for one year,” the savings would be enough to eradicate world hunger. “Instead, the vocation to destroy always prevails, which results in wars,” the pope lamented.
“Never ever ignore that there are millions of people and children dying of hunger. No one can be indifferent,” he said.
People who are fortunate to have enough to eat each day must make it a priority to never waste food and water, and to teach children to do the same, he said.
The pope again appealed to the international community “to work to truly eliminate world hunger, which is a scandal, a disgrace, as well as a crime.”
Meanwhile, during a Mass for Ukraine on November 17, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said that Ukraine, like any nation under attack, has a legitimate right to self-defense and to seek justice, but great care also must be taken to defend the hearts of Ukrainians from hatred and a desire for vengeance.
The liturgy at Rome’s Basilica of St. Mary Major, marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Ukraine.
When Jesus told his disciples to turn the other cheek, he was not ruling out self-defense, because “the Lord does not require unjust or impossible things,” Cardinal Parolin said in his homily.
The cardinal said that it could not be ignored how “nearly nine months of extensive warfare have reduced parts of the country to ruins, emptied of people, filled with debris and shrouded in darkness.”
Unfortunately, he said, “the reality of destruction and suffering that images and statistics put before our eyes every day feeds the temptation to give in to disappointment and distrust.”
…we raise prayers to God for peace in Ukraine and every country suffering from war so that trust in his promises of life will not fail and that they will soon find fulfillment
Cardinal Parolin
With Andrii Yurash, Ukraine’s ambassador to the Holy See, and most other members of the Vatican diplomatic corps present for the Mass, the cardinal said, “We witness the horror of a war that has continued to sow destruction and death for so many months.”
He said, “We see, too, the failure of attempts to restore peace or find solutions leading to it, while blood and tears continue to flow.”
Cardinal Parolin said, “Nevertheless, we raise prayers to God for peace in Ukraine and every country suffering from war so that trust in his promises of life will not fail and that they will soon find fulfillment. Despite the failures of human wills and human efforts, we ask God to pour out his Spirit on humanity longing for peace and to be delivered from the scourge of armed conflict.”
The cardinal explained that in asking us to turn the other cheek Jesus is not asking that we “yield to injustice.”
He said this is where “the Lord teaches us to react with love. For just as it is legitimate to defend ourselves externally from those who intend to attack and overpower us, we have an even greater obligation to defend ourselves inwardly from hatred and vengeance.”
