en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en es en en en en en en en en en en ru en en en en en en en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en fr en en en en en nl en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en sv en en de en en en en en de en en it en en en en en en en en en en en en
The Vatican has offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, while not hiding its displeasure with those who are sending weapons to Kyiv
By Loup Besmond de Senneville | Vatican City
So what exactly can the Vatican do about the war in Ukraine?
Devoid of any possibility for military or economic sanctions, it has at its disposal two types of offensive.
First, the spiritual dimension of its efforts, which is an integral part of the Holy See's initiatives in cases of tension or conflict.
At the end of February, the pope called for fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine, just as he did in 2021. In his homily for Ash Wednesday, he described this as employing "weapons of the spirit".
It was in the name of this spiritual dimension that Francis personally went to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See on February 25, just a few hours after the invasion of Ukraine began.
As the capitals of the world were studying how to sanction Moscow, diplomats voiced mixed reactions to the pope's initiative.
"It is a prophetic act, to be situated on a spiritual level," commented one pragmatic European diplomat based in Rome.
"It can be seen as the step of a man of prayer," agreed another observer. "But it is also a signal, that of a strong commitment to peace, sent to the entire Vatican diplomatic network."
After returning from the Russian embassy, Francis then telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In the last few days, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the pope's "foreign minister", have expressed their willingness to "facilitate dialogue" between the two warring parties.
But a number of diplomats believe that's not realistic.
"The gesture is interesting, but for the moment, they are not able to do it," said one ambassador to the Holy See, noting that "the Vatican is too committed to Ukraine" for Russia to accept its offer.
In fact, mediation is in line with the tradition of the Holy See. Over the past several years Vatican diplomats helped play a role in diffusing volatile situations in Bolivia, Colombia and Nicaragua.
But they have not been successful in other countries, such as Venezuela.
"We got our fingers burned there," said a senior Vatican official.
"For mediation to work, both parties must agree to it," he added.
Opposition to arming the Ukrainians
But beyond the question of mediation, the Holy See is also calling for the creation of humanitarian corridors to evacuate Ukrainian refugees.
Meanwhile, papal diplomats have been extremely critical of those Western countries that are sending massive arms shipments to Ukraine.
The Vatican fears this will only worsen the situation on the ground and will prove ineffective in resolving the conflict.
Pope Francis is 100% in agreement with this. He's always been one of the world's most outspoken critics of arms dealers.
In any case, the Holy See is following the situation in the region very closely.
Archbishop Gallagher visited Russia in November and sources said he had then planned to visit Ukraine in February or March. But the trip was then canceled after the Russian invasion.
Get the latest from La Croix International. Sign up to receive our daily newsletter.
You may also like
Maronite Church’s special synod to discern presence and mission of women
Chinese media accuses Cardinal Zen of inciting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong
Synodality: Catholics demand a reform of the clericalist priesthood
Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis and the war in Ukraine
Synodality and Catholic business leaders in West Africa
SUPPORT LA CROIX INTERNATIONAL’S COMMUNITY OF READERS
Support La Croix International's unique blend of international Catholic journalism by making it available to people in Asia and Africa who can't afford a subscription and often don't have credit cards to pay for it either.
Synodal virtues: valuing and extending theological education
Recently ordained Congolese bishop is big on synodality
Church leaders should engage social media’s Catholic influencers
The business of simply living a normal social life
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
Why Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral
Celebrating gay relationships in church is actually quite Catholic
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Elizabeth II, the “last Christian monarch”, has died
A challenge for Europe
Shaking up the economy
Peace, our common good
For 70 years she “was” the United Kingdom
Cooperation rather than competition
The elderly pope's patience is put to the test
Francis continues his push for a humbler, more open Church
The pope and the praying menace
What was the August meeting of cardinals really about?
Is Christian hospitality enough?
"What fraternity does assisted suicide build?"
Live, learn, forget, repeat
When timing is paramount
The pandemic, Christian faith and the perils of kids living in the digital world
"It’s been powerful to watch people enunciate a theology of care for creation"
Laudato si’ guides Indian archdiocese to help fisherfolk
Brazilian bishops stand up for the Yanomami people
The Gaia Man, James Lovelock
Pope calls for a new relationship with God, others and Creation
| Catholic Digest | UCAN | Living in faith | La Croix Africa | La Croix español
About Us | Contact Us| Newsletter Sign-up| Donate| Terms and Conditions| FAQ| La Croix| Confidentiality Policy| Sitemap