(PatrioticPost.com)- Pope Francis, the far-left leader of the Catholic Church, called for peace between Russia and Ukraine on Friday. The Pope also traveled to the Russian embassy outside of the Vatican walls, in what Vatican officials have described as an initiative that is completely without precedent.
Typically, popes usually receive ambassadors and foreign heads of state at his residence in the Vatican, but this time he chose to travel to the Russian embassy to express his concern about the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, said that the pope aimed to “express his concern about the war.” He reportedly stayed at the Russian embassy for over 30 minutes.
Pope Francis urged Russia and Ukraine to engage in dialogue to end the violent conflict, which began last week when Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree recognizing eastern regions of Ukraine – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent from Ukraine.
Francis also called for next Wednesday to be a day of prayer and fasting among his Catholic followers.
What Pope Francis has not done, however, is explicitly criticize Russia. The head of the Catholic church has been making efforts for several years now to develop strong ties to the Russian Orthodox Church, which would be difficult to do if he took a side in this conflict.
What do you think…will the Pope’s kind words and prayers be enough? Is he right to do it? Or is it just wishful thinking at this point that Vladimir Putin will respond to kindness?
