Pope Francis on Saturday hit out at Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting a “barbaric” war, saying he was exploring a possible visit to Kyiv. The Pope delivered his most candid and personal condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upon arrival in Malta.
Francis did not name Putin but the indication was clear when he said a ruler under the cover of chronological claims of nationalist interests had threatened the world with nuclear war by a “barbaric attack”. “We thought attacks on other countries, fierce street fighting and nuclear threats were memories of the past,” Francis told Malta officials and diplomats in the Mediterranean island nation at the start of his weekend visit.
Francis has so far refrained from naming Russia or Putin. However, on Saturday, the Pope underscored a new level of outrage by mentioning a powerful figure. “Once again, a ruler, sadly, is fueling conflicts under the guise of chronological claims of nationalist interests while the common man believes there is a need to forge a future that is either shared or not at all,” he said. Ho.”