Pope Leo XIV condemns Russia’s ‘imperialist’ invasion of Ukraine

[ad_1] The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV spoke out in opposition to Russia's continued battle in opposition to Ukraine in an interview on Could 9.

Talking with Peruvian information outlet Semanario Expresión , Pope Leo condemned Russia's war in opposition to Ukraine, characterizing it as a "a real invasion, imperialist in nature, the place Russia seeks to overcome territory for causes of energy.”

Pope Leo was appointed simply earlier this week on Could 8, following the loss of life of Pope Francis on April 21 on the age of 88. On Could 7, cardinals formally opened the historic conclave within the Vatican to decide on the subsequent head of the Catholic Church .

By clearing naming Russia's imperialist aspirations in Ukraine, the brand new pope's feedback come as a departure from his predecessor's place on the battle.

Whereas Pope Francis was broadly seen as a reformer who led the church with compassion and humanity, his legacy in Ukraine is extra complex .

All through Russia's full-scale invasion, many Ukrainians viewed Pope Francis' statements as failing to obviously assign duty for the battle. His description of Ukrainians and Russians as " brothers " was perceived as painfully out of contact amid Moscow's brutal battle.

Moreover, whereas Pope Francis repeatedly known as for peace, he additionally did not name out Russia because the aggressor or to sentence Russian President Vladimir Putin .

President Volodymyr Zelensky just lately congratulated the brand new pope on his appointment , saying, “Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s constant place in upholding worldwide legislation, condemning the Russian Federation’s navy aggression in opposition to Ukraine, and defending the rights of innocent civilians .”

As chief of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo will play a decisive position in shaping how the spiritual establishment responds to Europe’s largest battle since World Warfare II.

Most Russians ‘don’t care about the war,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia

In early May, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash made international headlines when it was revealed that she had pulled off a daring escape from house arrest in Russia and sought political asylum in France. Barabash was put under house arrest in February for posts that she had made criticizing Russia’s war against Ukraine. She was accused of spreading “knowingly false” information about the military on her social media. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent