Pope Francis & Putin: Strained Ties Amid Ukraine War & Funeral Absence
How does the legacy of Pope Francis intersect with the complex geopolitical landscape of the 21st century, particularly concerning the tumultuous relationship between the Vatican and Russia? The pontiff's papacy, marked by both diplomacy and direct confrontation, has left an indelible mark on the evolving dynamics between the Catholic Church and the Kremlin, especially in the shadow of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The relationship between Pope Francis and Moscow has been, to put it mildly, strained. The invasion of Ukraine in 2022 served as a significant stress test, revealing both the common ground and the chasms that separate the two entities. While the Pope has consistently advocated for peace and dialogue, his efforts have often been met with a chilly reception from the Russian side.
Over the years, the Pope and Vladimir Putin did meet on several occasions. They had three face-to-face encounters, with the last one occurring in 2021. Further, there were instances of them speaking on the phone, though not on a regular basis. The Kremlin released a telegram that acknowledged those meetings and the occasional phone conversations.
In July 2019, Pope Francis met with Vladimir Putin in Vatican City, a moment captured and disseminated by news outlets worldwide. The photo depicted the two leaders engaged in what appeared to be a serious exchange, highlighting the high-level diplomacy at play. Also in July 2019, the two leaders met in Italy, indicating a consistent effort to keep the channels of communication open. It is worth mentioning that on October 11, 2024, the Pope met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican.
The passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday at 2:35 AM ET marked the end of an era, prompting reactions from leaders around the world. Vladimir Putin, among those expressing his condolences, acknowledged the importance of dialogue between churches, but the context of his statement within the broader geopolitical climate is critical. The Russian president, however, has decided to skip the funeral, as confirmed by the Kremlin.
As the world mourned the loss of Pope Francis, Vladimir Putin was quoted in Russian state media describing the pontiff as a "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice." While the sentiment was positive, the underlying context of the statement carries significance.
Pope Francis had expressed his desire to meet with Putin in Moscow to try and bring about an end to the war, and he warned Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, about becoming "Putin's altar boy."
The Vatican's attempts to mediate, to provide a platform for dialogue, have been met with a mixed response. The Pope's interventions were not always well-received in certain circles. Just weeks after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the pope called Vladimir Putin to see if he could go to Moscow to ask him to stop the war. Ukrainian Catholic leaders did not approve of the idea.
The Vatican's efforts at diplomacy were often framed by the Pope's personal relationships. While the Pope had previously met with Trump's envoy for more peace talks with Putin, the situation changed when the Pope, in an interview in May 2022, directly addressed Patriarch Kirill, warning him not to support Putins agenda. His words demonstrated a clear condemnation of the war in Ukraine.
The Pope's stance has been nuanced and often difficult to interpret. While the Pope has condemned the invasion in several addresses, it's the context of those statements that matter. The nuances of the situation demonstrate just how difficult the situation is.
The decision of Vladimir Putin to skip the funeral of Pope Francis is another layer of symbolism in the narrative. Putin's absence, as reported by the Russian state news agency, underscores the strained relations and the weight of geopolitical considerations.
Earlier, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that Pope Francis had congratulated Putin on his victory in the presidential election in March 2024, an election that Western observers deemed as lacking in meaningful opposition. This action was met with criticism.
Beyond high-level diplomacy, the Pope also sent messages to Trump and expressed a readiness to talk to Putin to call for peace, as he had expressed in a general audience in St. Peter's Square in March 2023. The Pope's efforts to engage both sides, while not always successful, reflect the complexities of modern geopolitics.
The Popes role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is the defining element of his interactions with the Kremlin, and this has also led to diplomatic and political friction.
The Pope's statements and actions during the conflict in Ukraine have been very significant. His direct appeal to Vladimir Putin to stop the "spiral of violence and death" highlights the Popes urgent need for de-escalation. While some critics urged the Pope to explicitly call out Mr. Putin, the Pope has remained committed to dialogue.
| Bio Data: Pope Francis | |
|---|---|
| Full Name: | Jorge Mario Bergoglio |
| Born: | December 17, 1936 (age 87) in Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality: | Argentine |
| Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic |
| Known For: | 266th Pope of the Catholic Church |
| Term as Pope: | March 13, 2013 Present |
| Education: | Master's degree in chemistry, philosophical and theological studies |
| Ordination: | Ordained as a priest on December 13, 1969 |
| Appointment as Archbishop: | Archbishop of Buenos Aires from 1998 to 2013 |
| Key Initiatives: | Emphasis on mercy, social justice, and environmental protection; reform of the Vatican Curia; promotion of interreligious dialogue |
| Website: | Vatican Website |
