Pope Leo XIV accuses Russia of imperialism and calls for disarmament
Image: Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
Pope Leo XIV accused Russia of aggression against Ukraine, accompanied by crimes against humanity, according to an interview with the pontiff for the Peruvian publication Semanario Expresión.
The newly appointed head of the Catholic Church condemned Russia's war against Ukraine. He referred to the conflict as "a very serious problem that affects the entire world" and "a true imperialist invasion."
In his view, the war is "a true imperialist invasion, where Russia wants to conquer territory for reasons of power and its own advantage due to its strategic location, as well as the great value that Ukraine holds for Russia in cultural, historical, and industrial terms. This has already been proven, and crimes against humanity are taking place in Ukraine. We must pray to God for peace, but I think we also need to be clearer," said Pope Leo XIV.
He added that "even some politicians in our country do not want to acknowledge the horrors of this war and the evil that Russia is committing with all its actions there, in Ukraine." According to him, this is "truly a situation that cries out to the heavens, seeking a solution."
"I think we all need to insist more on promoting peace and urging the laying down of arms. Today, we can no longer resort to weapons to solve problems. We must look for other methods, and God willing, at least for now, there will be a pause in all this violence, whether through Holy Week or because so many innocent people are dying, dying due to this unjust aggression," said the Pope.
Shift in position on war
After the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88, the papal conclave of cardinals elected American Robert Francis Prevo as the new head of the Catholic Church on May 8. He took the papal name Leo XIV.
The new Pope’s statements regarding Russia’s imperialist ambitions in Ukraine mark a departure from the position of his predecessor, Pope Francis.
Throughout the full-scale war with Russia, many Ukrainians considered Pope Francis’ statements to lack a clear allocation of responsibility for the war. His description of Ukrainians and Russians as "brothers" was seen as painfully disconnected from reality amidst the brutal war initiated by Moscow.
Furthermore, while Pope Francis repeatedly called for peace, he never labeled Russia as the aggressor nor condemned Vladimir Putin.
