It is very unfortunate that Russian imperialistic ideas, which are the cause of Russia’s chronic aggressiveness, are voiced by the Pope.
This was stated by the spokesman for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oleg Nikolenko.
During an online speech at the All-Russian meeting of Catholic youths in St. Petersburg, Francis called on Russians to be “creators of peace in the midst of conflicts” and “sowers of the seeds of reconciliation.”
“Never forget about heritage. You are the descendants of the great Russia: the great Russia of saints, rulers, the great Russia of Peter I, Catherine II, that empire – great, educated, great culture and great humanity. Never give up on this legacy. You are descendants of the great mother Russia, step forward with it. And thank you — thank you for your way of being, for your way of being Russian,” the pontiff said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted that the Kremlin justifies the killing of thousands of Ukrainian men and women and the destruction of hundreds of Ukrainian towns and villages with such imperialist propaganda, “spiritual scruples,” and “the need to save the great mother Russia.”
“It is very unfortunate that Russian imperialistic ideas, which are actually the cause of Russia’s chronic aggressiveness, are knowingly or unknowingly voiced by the Pope, whose mission in our understanding, is precisely to open the eyes of Russian youths to the destructive course of the current Russian leadership,” Nikolenko added.
