Some potentate is provoking and fomenting conflicts, ordinary people sense the need to build a future that, will either be shared, or will not be at all
On April 1, 2022, during his trip to Malta, Pope Francis said that he was considering a trip to Kyiv and implicitly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine, saying a “potentate” — an autocratic ruler — was fomenting conflict for nationalist interests.
“Once again, some potentate, sadly caught up in anachronistic claims of nationalist interests, is provoking and fomenting conflicts, whereas ordinary people sense the need to build a future that will, either be shared or not be at all,” Pope Francis said without mentioning Putin by name.
Earlier, asked by a reporter on the flight if he was considering an invitation to visit Kyiv, the Pope answered: “Yes, it is on the table.” He gave no further details. Pope Francis has never been to Ukraine before.
