Ep. 13 - A Ukrainian bishop's plea for Pope Francis

The Vatican Briefing

A prominent U.S. Ukrainian Catholic leader has sharply criticized Pope Francis' recent suggestion that Ukraine might enter negotiations to end its brutal, two-year war with Russia, calling the pontiff's remarks "very problematic."

In this episode of "The Vatican Briefing," expert journalists Joshua J. McElwee and Christopher White interview Archbishop Borys Gudziak, who represents Ukrainian Catholics across much of the eastern U.S. Gudziak says he and people across Ukraine "were really knocked off balance" by the pope's suggestion.

"Negotiating with Russia and [President] Putin today is a no-go," said Gudziak, who heads the Archeparchy of Philadelphia. "Ukrainians have tried. They see that he is a relentless killer."

"I think the Holy Father really cares for the people of Ukraine, and he cares for the suffering people of the world," said the archbishop. "The expression … was very unfortunate."

Given the seriousness of the subject matter, The Vatican Briefing is devoting the entirety of this episode to its interview with Archbishop Gudziak.

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Relevant links:

Associated Press reporting on the pope's interview: Pope Francis: Ukraine should have courage of the 'white flag,' negotiate end of war with Russia

Associated Press coverage of how Vatican officials addressed the interview: Vatican diplomats seek to defuse outrage over Pope Francis' Ukraine 'white flag' comments

Catholic News Service coverage of a December 2023 phone call between Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Pope Francis, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy speak by phone

Christopher White's reporting from a December 2022 visit to Ukraine: 'Ukraine Crucifixion': At Christmas, war-torn Ukraine confident in its resurrection