Pope urges Ukraine and Russia to swap 'all for all'
Photo: Pope Francis (Getty Images)
During the Holy Mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis called on Russia and Ukraine to exchange prisoners of war according to the "all for all" formula, according to the Vatican News.
"May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the war-torn peoples of those regions (of Israel, the Gas Sector and Ukraine, - ed.). In calling for respect for the principles of international law, I express my hope for a general exchange of all prisoners between Russia and Ukraine: all for the sake of all," Francis said.
Statements by the Pope
On March 9, Pope Francis stated that Ukraine must "demonstrate the courage of the white flag" and initiate negotiations with Russia. Such a statement provoked a sharp negative reaction from Western countries and Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded the pontiff that Russians do not advance further into Europe only because they are restrained by Ukrainian defenders with weapons in their hands.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, in turn, urged the Pope to visit Ukraine. According to him, this would be an important signal not only for the country but for the entire world.
Recently, Francis once again called for an end to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East through the start of peaceful negotiations.
For more details on the controversial statements by the Pope, see the material from RBC-Ukraine.
