{"id":16166,"date":"2025-05-01T13:27:54","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16166"},"modified":"2025-05-01T13:27:54","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T13:27:54","slug":"inside-volodymyr-zelenskyys-relationship-with-pope-francis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/used82.com\/?p=16166","title":{"rendered":"Inside Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u2019s relationship with Pope Francis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Volodymyr
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left\/right), Pope Francis (middle). Credit: Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Pope Francis became a popular pope due to his progressive thinking and the causes he advocated for. However, while many believed he steered the Catholic Church in the right direction, others disagreed. Also, during his 12-year papacy, Francis was involved in some somewhat controversial incidents, including not taking a firm stance against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in attendance at the pope\u2019s funeral. However, Ukraine has criticized the pope several times for his stance on the war. Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pope Francis<\/a>\u00a0has been laid to his final resting place. He became the first pope in over 120 years not to be buried within the Vatican. Pope Francis, born Jorge Bergoglio, wrote in his will that he wanted to have his final resting place in Rome\u2019s Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore and that his tomb should be in the ground, \u201csimple, without particular ornamentation, bearing only the inscription:\u00a0Franciscus.<\/p>\n

More than 250,000 people attended Francis\u2019s funeral service at St. Peter\u2019s Square in the Vatican on Saturday. Members of royal houses and world leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr\u00a0Zelenskyy<\/a>\u00a0and US President\u00a0Donald Trump<\/a>, were present.<\/p>\n

The two, who at the moment are involved in intense peace talks over Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine, and Donald and Volodymyr had a brief meeting inside St Peter\u2019s Basilica before the funeral service was to begin.<\/p>\n

As the Catholic Church is an ancient institution, many believe things should remain the same as they have always been. However, Francis had other ideas, including a desire to modernize the church. He became known for advocating for progressive causes, including support for immigrants and those experiencing poverty. He was also the first pope\u00a0to label\u00a0laws that criminalize homosexuality \u201cunjust.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Pope Francis was praised for many reasons, there were also scandals. For example, the Catholic Church\u2019s sexual abuse scandal, in which Pope Francis discredited the survivors of abuse in Chile. Later, however, he apologized, calling it a \u201cgrave error.\u201d He also defrocked Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, who the Vatican found guilty of assaulting children and adults.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis said\u00a0Ukraine should\u2019ve had the courage to raise a \u201cwhite flag\u201d<\/h2>\n

When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, world leaders and dignitaries worldwide showed their support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Pope Francis received harsh reactions and criticism when he, in March 2024, stated that Ukraine should negotiate an end to the war and have \u201cthe courage to raise the white flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people, and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates,\u201d Pope Francis\u00a0said<\/a>. \u201cWhen you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ukraine reacted strongly and rejected Pope Francis\u2019 proposal. Ukraine\u2019s Vatican ambassador compared Francis\u2019 comments to those who were pro-talks with Adolf Hitler during the Second World War, and even the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church criticized the pope. Volodymyr Zelenskyy touched on the subject in a speech just days later. However, he didn\u2019t mention Pope Francis by name.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds,\u201d Zelenskyy said. \u201cThis is what the church is \u2013 it is together with people, not two-and-a-half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later, in response to the criticism, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that Pope Francis had \u201cpicked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate\u2026 a truce reached with the courage of negotiation,\u201d adding that the pope had clearly stated that \u201cnegotiations are never a surrender.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Francis at the Vatican<\/h2>\n

During a December 2024 mass, the pope once again sparked furious reactions when referring to Ukraine and Russia as \u201cbrothers.\u201d Two months ago, marking the third anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion, Pope Francis once again spoke on the war, calling it \u201cpainful and shameful\u201d and made clear that he remembered \u201cmartyred Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs I renew my solidarity with the martyred Ukrainian people, I invite you to remember the victims of all armed conflicts and to pray for the gift of peace in Palestine, Israel, and throughout the Middle East, in Myanmar, in Kivu, and in Sudan;\u201d Pope Francis said.<\/p>\n

Pope Francis and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met several times at the Vatican. Their last meeting was in October 2024, when they spent 35 minutes in the Vatican\u2019s Apostolic Palace.<\/p>\n

According to the Holy See Press Office at the time, the pope spoke to Zelenskyy about the suffering of Ukrainian children, highlighting that many of them have lost the ability to smile.<\/p>\n

Shortly after the meeting, Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, \u201cAll nations have the right to exist in peace and security. Their territories must not be attacked, and their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through peace and dialogue. War and hatred bring only death and destruction for everyone.\u00a0#Peace\u201d<\/p>\n

Ukrainian official says Pope \u2018could have done more\u2019 to support Ukraine<\/h2>\n

Pope Francis has always been all for peace, but while he\u2019s shown his support for Ukraine, he has stopped short of condemning Russia for the invasion. Just days before the pope\u2019s funeral, a senior Ukrainian official, who remains anonymous, claimed Pope Francis didn\u2019t do enough to support the war-torn country in its battle with Russia. In an interview with\u00a0AFP<\/a>, the Ukrainian official stated that Pope Francis showed an \u201cabsolute ignorance of this part of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did not really understand and was not even trying to understand what was happening here,\u201d the official said, adding that the pope \u201ccould have done incomparably more for Ukraine,\u201d for example, by trying to get more countries to support Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Moreover, the official said Pope Francis \u201crefused to make a clear distinction\u201d between Russia as the aggressor and Ukraine as the victim. Although the criticisms were fierce, the official also recognized how the Vatican\u2019s efforts in mediating the return of Ukrainian children, taken from occupied parts of the country to Russia, as well as in prisoner exchanges.<\/p>\n

Also, Pope Francis gifted Ukraine with four ambulances just weeks before his passing. The ambulances bear the coat of arms of the Vatican City State and were sent to the areas that have been hit hardest by Russia\u2019s invasion.<\/p>\n

Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised Pope Francis for his \u201cprayers for peace\u201d<\/h2>\n

Following the passing of Pope Francis, dignitaries, members of royal families, and world leaders from around the world sent their condolences. So did Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who praised the pope in a lengthy post on\u00a0X<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met with members of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Yesterday, we all received the sorrowful news of the passing of Pope Francis. My condolences. We remember his prayers for peace in Ukraine,\u201d Zelenskyy wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur state will be represented in Rome at the farewell ceremony this coming Saturday. This is now the week following Easter, yet every day brings Russian shelling and strikes. We all believe that this Easter season can provide an opportunity to take the necessary steps toward silence and peace. A real ceasefire is needed, as is a lasting and solid peace. Ukraine needs the support of religious communities \u2014 spiritual diplomacy, the diplomacy of values, always helps. This was the central focus of our meeting. It is important to continue engaging with our international partners\u201d.<\/p>\n

The President of Ukraine concluded, \u201cI thank the churches and religious organizations for every achievement in advocating for Ukraine, for their prayers, and for the support they have given to our people throughout the entire war.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife,\u00a0Olen<\/a>a Zelenska, attended Pope Francis\u2019s funeral service at St. Peter\u2019s Square. The Ukrainian president was greeted with applause as he entered the square, and he and his wife were seated in the front row.<\/p>\n

Why Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn\u2019t wear a suit for the funeral<\/h2>\n

Although strict rules and traditions apply regarding seating, an exception was made this time. Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told\u00a0The Telegraph<\/a>\u00a0that Zelenskyy and his wife filled a \u201cvacant place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not been wearing a suit for years. Since the day martial law was declared as Russia invaded, the president has been wearing combat-style attire, including khaki army pants, a sweatshirt featuring the Ukrainian national symbol, and boots.<\/p>\n

A reporter questioned Zelenskyy\u2019s choice of clothing during a meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in February, to which he responded, \u201cI will wear costume after this war will finish.\u201d Regardless of people\u2019s opinions, he will continue to show solidarity with the Ukrainian soldiers fighting the Russian army by wearing military-style outfits.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen world leaders see Zelenskyy in military style, it is a signal \u2014 \u2018Ukraine is at war and I am part of this fight,’\u201d Elvira Gasanova, designer of the brand Damirli, which sells some of the clothing Zelenskyy often wears, told\u00a0Politico<\/a>. \u201cA persistent call to return to the suit is a de facto\u00a0demand to return to the usual format of political dialogue, which means \u2018enough of war, sit down at the negotiating table,\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added, \u201cThe classic suit would be perceived as a detachment from the reality of the front. And his clothes help him to keep the world\u2019s attention on the war in\u00a0Ukraine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paid his final respects<\/h2>\n

So, did Zelenskyy make an exception for Pope Francis\u2019 funeral? His wife, Olena Zelenska, wore a black blouse and skirt paired with matching black high-heeled boots. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy chose not to wear a suit but a tailored military-style field jacket.<\/p>\n

According to\u00a0Women\u2019s Wear<\/a>\u00a0Daily, male attendees were advised to wear a dark suit accompanied by a long black tie and a black button on the left side of the jacket. Volodymyr Zelenskyy didn\u2019t fully adhere to the dress code or completely deviate from his wartime attire. However, even though his country is in the middle of a war, he paid his respects to Pope Francis, saying his final goodbyes in person.<\/p>\n

Do you think Volodymyr Zelenskyy\u2019s outfit for Pope Francis\u2019 funeral was acceptable? Or do you believe he should\u2019ve worn a suit? Please share this article on Facebook and give us your opinion!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left\/right), Pope Francis (middle). Credit: Getty Images Pope Francis became a popular pope…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16167,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":34,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16166"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16168,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16166\/revisions\/16168"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/used82.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}