As of: March 18, 2024, 4:16 p.m
By: Laura May
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Putin's state propagandist Simonyan attacks Pope Francis after his statements about the war in Ukraine - Russia doesn't care about the Vatican.
Moscow – Pope Francis has sparked discussions with controversial statements about the war in Ukraine.
The pontiff called on Ukraine to “have the courage to raise a white flag” - many interpreted the statement as a call for surrender to Kiev and legitimization of Russian violence.
So is the Pope a friend of Russia?
The editor-in-chief of the Russian state broadcaster
Russia Today
(
RT
), Margarita Simonyan, sees it differently.
“Who is the Pope for us?” she asked on the Moscow talk show “Own Truth”: “Our country is Orthodox.”
After Francis' statement on the Ukraine war: "What does the Pope have to do with the Bible?"
Although the Bible and its values underlie both Christian churches, one should not rely on the Pope when it comes to questions about war and peace.
“What does the Pope have to do with the Bible?
The Bible was written before there was a pope,” Simonyan said on the show.
Julia Davis, US columnist and founder of the Russian Media Monitor, posted a recording including a translation on X (formerly Twitter).
Simonyan accused the Pope of hypocrisy in the excerpt.
In contrast to heads of state with political responsibility who have to live with their decisions and their consequences, Francis can afford populism and take moral high ground.
“Of course it is better that no blood be shed, it is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick.”
Recognition of the elections in Russia by the West “doesn’t matter at all”
In the broadcast, Simonyan not only distanced herself from the Vatican, but also made clear her indifference to foreign opinions about the political system in Russia.
When asked how important it is for the West to recognize the elections, she replies: "I don't care at all." In Russia it is clear that Vladimir Putin will win the elections.
But even in the USA there is only a choice between Democrats and Republicans, who only differ “in small details”.
“From a distance it is clear that they are the same”
Simonyan's criticism of the Pope and the USA was broadcast as part of the talk show "Own Truth" (Russian "Своя правда") hosted by Roman Babajan.
The socio-political program is broadcast on the
NTW
station .
It is based in Moscow and belongs to Gazprom-Media, the largest Russian media group.
(
lahema
)