Original article (in Albanian) was published on 11/3/2024; Author: Ilda Hoxha
Claim: Pope Francis urged Ukraine to surrender and accept negotiations with Russia to prevent further casualties
Rating: Missing context
Pope Francis did not advocate for Ukraine’s surrender in its conflict with Russia, contrary to claims made in articles distributed online. Faktoje verified that the Pope emphasized negotiation as a means to end the war with Russia.
An interview with Pope Francis addressing the conflict in Ukraine and Gaza, in which he advocates for dialogue and negotiations, has captured global media attention. The aspect that has ignited the most controversy and varied interpretations involves a statement made by the leader of the Catholic Church concerning the raising and lowering of the Ukrainian flag during discussions with Russia.
Some media outlets interpreted this segment of the interview as a call from the Pope for Ukraine to capitulate after a defeat in the war.
On March 10, the “TeSheshi” portal published an article with the headline: “Pope Calls for Ukraine to Surrender.”
On March 10, “TeSheshi” web portal published an article with the headline: “Pope calls for Ukraine to surrender.”
In the text, there’s a discernible emphasis on negotiation rather than surrender. For its article, the portal cited the interview Pope Francis gave to the Swiss television station RSI. To ensure accuracy, we sought the full interview the Pope gave to the media.
The complete interview, as revealed in Albanian by “Vatican News,” mentions that Pope Francis called for negotiation on Ukraine’s part, despite it not being the initiator of the conflict.
“Pope Francis is invited to Cliché, a cultural magazine hosted by Lorenzo Buccella and broadcasted on Swiss Radio Television (RSI), in an episode dedicated to white, symbolizing goodness and light, yet also highlighting mistakes and blemishes. Amidst the numerous disparities lie the wars, the conflict in Ukraine, and that in Palestine,” reports “Vatican News.” Later in the interview, the Pope responds to the journalist’s question: “In Ukraine, there are those who seek the courage of surrender, of the white flag. However, others argue that this would legitimize the stronger forces. What do you think?”
“That’s an interpretation. But I believe that those who perceive the situation, those who care about people, those who have the courage to raise the white flag and engage in dialogue, are the strongest. And today, negotiation can be facilitated with the help of international powers. The word negotiation is a courageous word. When you recognize your capability, when things aren’t going well, you must have the courage to engage in discussion. It’s shameful, but how many deaths will it take to end? “Negotiate in due time, seek a venue to act as a mediator,” replied the Pope.
Following the misinterpretation of this segment of the interview, the Vatican felt the need to clarify the Pope’s statements to the media. Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Vatican Press Office, clarified that Pope Francis did not call for Ukraine’s surrender, contrary to what some reports suggested. Instead, he advocated for a ceasefire and underscored “the courage of negotiations.”
“The Pope used the metaphor of the ‘white flag’ proposed by a journalist to highlight the importance of ending hostilities, achieving a ceasefire through the courage of negotiations. In another part of the interview, addressing war in general, the Pope emphasized: “Negotiations are not surrender,”” Bruni noted, according to Vatican News.