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March 11, 2024

Pope Francis Urges Ukraine to Negotiate and Have "Courage of the White Flag"
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Pope Francis has called on Ukraine to have the courage to wave the white
flag and begin negotiations with Russia. The pope made the comment in an
interview with the Swiss broadcaster RSI.

Pope Francis: "It is one interpretation, it's true, but I think that the
strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the
people and has the courage of the white flag, of negotiating. And today
you can negotiate with the help of the international powers. There are
some. … The word 'negotiate' is a courageous word. When you see that you
are defeated, when things are not going well, you have to have the
courage to negotiate. One may feel shame, but how many dead will the war
end up with? And it will end even worse. One should negotiate in time,
find a country that can be a mediator."

Several Ukrainian and European officials criticized the pope's call for
negotiations.


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