Vatican defends pope's praise of Russian empire after fury in Ukraine
www.nbcnews.com
"Don’t forget your heritage," Pope Francis urged an audience of young Russian Catholics on Friday, in comments that sparked anger in Kyiv and delight from the Kremlin.

The Vatican sought to defend Pope Francis on Tuesday after he sparked fury in Ukraine by praising Russia’s imperial rulers — a history President Vladimir Putin has invoked to justify his ongoing war.

The Kremlin delighted in the controversy, which stemmed from comments the pontiff made to a group of young Russian Catholics urging them to see themselves as the heirs of a “great” empire.

“Don’t forget your heritage. You are the descendants of great Russia: the great Russia of saints, rulers, the great Russia of Peter I, Catherine II, that empire — educated, great culture and great humanity,” he told them in St. Petersburg by live video Friday.

    • Akasazh@feddit.nlEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thnx. My point was that the church opposed the Nazi regime more (in words, that is) in comparison to how the current pope opposes the Russian invasion.

      At least I am sure they aren’t assisting the Russians behond the scenes.

    • SCB@lemmy.worldEnglish
      22·
      1 year ago

      So not the Church then, and then the Church did the most Christian thing possible and advocated forgiveness?

      Yeah, they’re just monsters.

        • SCB@lemmy.worldEnglish
          22·
          1 year ago

          “People defined by their religion aren’t acting out their religion, they’re just bribing others” is a really awesome internet take, and I’ve seen a ton of them.

          Congrats man.