OP spokesman on the Pope’s words: We have to ask ourselves – what is RCC?

The OP wonders what the Catholic Church is. Photo: vaticannews

The spokesperson of the Presidential Office, Mykhailo Podolyak, in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, stated that after the Pope's words praising the Russian Empire, one should wonder – what is the Catholic Church?

"If we assess the Pope's phrases impartially, we will see that they are unequivocal encouragement of aggressive imperialism, applause for the bloody idea of the 'Russian world,' which implies the cruel destruction of the freedom and way of life of other people. Francis encourages Putin's misanthropic ideology, his inclination towards genocide," Podolyak said.

According to him, "we have to ask ourselves what the Catholic Church is, what Christianity is, what the blood-soaked Ukraine of innocent victims is."

Podolyak believes that the Pope "once again became a tool of Russian propaganda." "It is precisely by relying on the triad of Peter-Catherine-Stalin that the Russian army comes to kill Ukrainians. The Pope glorifies them, and Putin uses them to destroy our identity," Podolyak concluded.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Zelensky invited the pope to come to any city in Ukraine.

Read also

St. Olga of Alaska Officially Glorified in Her Hometown of Kwethluk

First North American female saint honored in historic vigil attended by hundreds of pilgrims and hierarchs.

Pro-Constantinople Outlet Reports on Violent Cathedral Seizure in Chernivtsi

An article from the Orthodox Times highlights rising attacks against UOC faithful and clergy amid escalating church property disputes.

Metropolitan Longin Alleges Assassination Plot Against Him

Bancheny hierarch claims a group from Ivano-Frankivsk was sent to kill him.

Archbishop of Cyprus: Decision on Metropolitan Tychikos’ Appeal Expected in August

Hierarch retains presumption of innocence amid ongoing review by Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Holy Cross Seminarians Conclude Pilgrimage with Spiritual Encounters in Thessaloniki and Mount Athos

Students reflect on ministry and heritage during the final days of the transformative journey.

Estonian Government Passes New Law Against Orthodox Church

New legislation would force the Estonian Orthodox Church to cut its ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. This is depsite the fact that the Estonian Church has been autonomous since 1993.