Pope Francis and Russia’s War against Ukraine

Abstract

This article aims at analysing and commenting the approach and position of Pope Francis and the Roman Curia in the issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine (2014¬–) since the full-scale invasion of 2022. Statements and gestures of the Pope that joined Russia and Ukraine together, were often received negatively in Ukraine. The encyclical Fratelli tutti, Vatican neutrality and Ostpolitik raised questions concerning peace ethics and reconciliation. The article presents guiding principles and ideas of the Catholic Church leadership on these issues and shows that there is a demand for active involvement of the Ukrainian side in the discussion process.