MFA of Ukraine: The Pope’s words about Mother Russia are "disappointing"

Pope Francis holding the Ukrainian flag from Bucha. Photo: vaticannews.va

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded to the Pope's address to young Russian Catholics, in which he referred to them as heirs of the great empire.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko, stated on Facebook that it is with "such imperialistic propaganda," the "spiritual bonds," and the "need" for the salvation of the "great Mother Russia" that the Kremlin justifies the killings of thousands of Ukrainian men and women, as well as the destruction of hundreds of Ukrainian cities and villages.

Oleg Nikolenko is "deeply disappointed" that the words of Pope Francis are echoing "Russian imperial ideas, which are precisely the cause of Russia's chronic aggressiveness."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Pope referred to Russians as heirs of the great empire, the great mother Russia.

Read also

WCC Demands 'Protection' for St. Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

The WCC also passed resolutions on the Armenian Genocide and the terrorist attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus.

Russian Orthodox Church Provides Aid to Earthquake Victims

Volunteers from the Petropavlovsk and Kamchatka Diocese are providing food and aid at the Holy Trinity Cathedral’s humanitarian warehouse to support residents affected by a powerful 8.7-magnitude earthquake in Kamchatka.

Serbian Patriarch Slams 'Undemocratic' Ruling Against Republika Srpska Leader

Patrarch Porfirije condemned the verdict as "unlawful and undemocratic." He is a vocal supporter of autonomy for Bosnian Serbs.

UOC House Church Set Ablaze in Khmelnytskyi Region

Police have identified the arsonist.

World's Most Premature Baby Celebrates First Birthday

Iowa NICU defies “impossible” odds to save boy born at 21 weeks.

Court Extends Detention of Metropolitan Arseny by Two Months — Again

Defense Prepares Appeal as Legal Irregularities Surround Continued Imprisonment of UOC Hierarch