On Saturday evening, the Vatican clarified the words of Pope Francis about sending weapons to Ukraine, which he said during a press conference on board a plane flying from Marseille to Rome. The Pope, speaking about “one of the countries that steps out of line and does not give weapons,” then added that this would lead to the Ukrainian nation being a martyr.
The Pope expressed his opinion on the plane that the current war concerns “not only the Russian-Ukrainian problem”, but also the sale of weapons.
– An economist said a few months ago that today the investment that brings the greatest profits are weapons factories, death factories – he added. – The Ukrainian nation is a martyr nation, it has a history of martyrdom and suffering. Not the first time. During Stalin’s time he suffered very, very much. It is a martyr nation. But we cannot play with the martyrdom of this nation. We must help him solve the problem in the most realistic way possible, Francis said.
– Now I saw that one country is stepping out of line, not giving weapons, and a process is beginning in which the Ukrainian nation will definitely be a martyr. And this is sad, the pope added.
The Pope on board the plane to MarseilleAP POOL VIA ANSA
To the Pope about selling weapons
Journalists traveling with the Pope asked for an explanation of these words Vatican. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See’s press office, told media representatives that the statement was made “in the context of reflection on the consequences of arms trade.”
“The Pope emphasized the paradox that those who traffic in weapons never have to bear the consequences of their decisions, but make tortured nations such as Ukraine pay for them,” said the Vatican spokesman.
The Pope on board the plane to MarseilleAP POOL VIA ANSA
Main photo source: AP POOL VIA ANSA