Vatican City: Pope Francis said that the Vatican is ready to do anything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine in an interview with the Italian daily La Stampa. Pope Francis reiterated this hope in a wide-ranging interview in which he also speaks about his upcoming visit to Asti, in the Piedmont Region, and reflects on his nearly ten-year pontificate.
Pope Francis insists on the absurdity of war, noting that humanity has not learned the lessons of the previous two World Wars. “Knowing that behind all these tragedies there is hunger for power and arms trafficking causes particular anger and sadness”, he said.
“Three world wars in one century! And we won’t learn!”
Asked about the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire and peace negotiations, Pope Francis said the Holy See constantly follows the situation and “is willing to do everything possible to mediate and put an end to the conflict", while it continues to offer humanitarian relief to suffering Ukrainians and support to prisoners of war.
The Pope said he hasn’t given up hope on a lasting peace and reconciliation between Moscow and Kyiv. However, he said “everyone must commit themselves to demilitarize their hearts, starting from their own, and then to defuse and disarm violence”.
“We must all be pacifists, wanting peace, not just a truce that maybe only serves to rearm, but a true peace, which is the fruit of dialogue. Peace s not achieved with weapons, because they do not defeat hatred and the thirst for domination, which in this way will re-emerge, perhaps in other ways.”
In the interview, Pope Francis also spoke about his upcoming visit to the city of Asti, in Northern Italy, where his parents came from. During the visit on Sunday he will meet up privately with his relatives for the occasion of his cousin’s 90th birthday and will celebrate Mass for the diocesan community.
The Pope said he still very close to his family of origin and has strong affective ties with Piedmont, thanks to his grandmother Rosa, who also taught him poems of local poet Nino Costa in the Piedmontese dialect, which he still cherishes.
In this regard he once again emphasized the importance of family roots, saying they are fundamental from a cultural and familiar point of view. As he has repeated on many occasions, the Pope insisted that young people should always talk to their grandparents as much as possible
“It is essential to keep the relationship with the roots alive, for our cultural and social growth, and also for the development of our personality”
Pope Francis also repeated that young people should continue dreaming even as they face a gloomy and uncertain future.
Asked about his favorite Piedmontese dish, in the interview Pope Francis also spoke about the urgent need to address the “scandal” of hunger, affecting millions of people and children across the world: “This – he said - must be a priority for everyone: for those lucky enough to have food in their daily lives must not waste it by teaching it to children as well, and the international community who is called to work to truly eliminate hunger which is a disgrace as well as a crime".
As he approaches his 86th birthday in December, Pope Francis said that at his age he “perceives tranquility, great peace, genuine joy and religiosity”. On a personal note, he said he finds God in prayer, in celebrating the Eucharist and in all the people he meets.
During the interview, Pope Francis was also asked about the upcoming official visit to the Vatican of the new Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the first female PM of Italy. While reiterating that he doesn’t interfere in specific Italian political issues and that the new government was voted by the people, the Pope said he asks rulers of all countries, not to forget the poor. Asked about the current resurgence of nationalism and populism Pope Francis again warned on the dangers of all "-isms", because, he said, “they hypocritically sow social and political wickedness".