Pope Francis comments on the Ukraine war – and plays into Putin's hands. In doing so, he causes immense damage.
For the people of Ukraine, the words must sound as if Francis was stabbing them in the back. It is tragic that the Pope has catapulted himself out of the circle of possible mediators with such apparently ill-considered statements. After almost eleven years in office, the Jesuit Francis should know the impact of his words - and especially in the event of war, every word must be carefully considered.