Pope Francis received backlash for his remarks about Russia’s history during a speech to young people. In a video address to young Russian Catholics, Francis encouraged them to continue the legacy of their nation’s imperialist empire. However, his comments drew criticism from Ukraine and others. The pope’s mention of “the great Russia of saints, of kings, the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, of that great, enlightened Russian empire, of great culture and great humanity” was deemed “deeply regrettable” by Ukraine. Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves called the remarks “revolting,” while Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk expressed concerns about inspiring “neo-colonial ambitions.” Despite his call for peace and reconciliation, Francis’s comments about Russia have caused controversy in the past. In 2022, he referred to a Russian ultra-nationalist as an innocent victim of war, which upset Ukraine. The Vatican did not include the praise for the Russian Empire in the official text of the speech, indicating a potential shift in tone.
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