Peace between Russia and Ukraine “is still possible” and the Holy See is willing to do everything it can to put an end to the armed conflict, said Pope Francis in an interview published on Friday by the Italian newspaper ‘La Stampa’.
Pope Francis insists on the absurdity of war, noting that humanity has not learned the lessons of the previous two World Wars. “Knowing that behind all these tragedies there are hunger for power and arms trafficking raises anger and sadness”, he said.
“Three world wars in one century! And we won’t learn!”
Asked about the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire and peace negotiations, Pope Francis said the Holy See constantly follows the situation and “is willing to do everything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict”, while it continues to offer humanitarian relief to suffering Ukrainians and support to prisoners of war.
The Pope said he has not given up hope on lasting peace and reconciliation between Moscow and Kyiv. However, he stressed, “everyone must commit themselves to demilitarize their hearts, starting from their own, and then to defuse and disarm violence”.
“We must all be pacifists, wanting peace, not just a truce that maybe only serves to rearm, but a true peace, which is the fruit of dialogue. Peace is not achieved with weapons, because they don’t defeat hatred and the thirst for domination, which will re-emerge, perhaps in other ways.”
Referring to the global phenomenon of resurging nationalism and populism, Pope Francis also warned again on the dangers of all “-isms”, because, he said, “they hypocritically sow social and political wickedness”.
The Pope said he is still very close to his family of origin and has strong affective ties with Piedmont, thanks to his grandmother Rosa, who also taught him poems of local poet Nino Costa in the Piedmontese dialect, which he still cherishes.
“It is essential to keep the relationship with our roots alive, for our cultural and social growth, and also for the development of our personality”
Pope Francis also repeated that young people should continue to dream, even in the face of a gloomy and uncertain future like today.