In a significant statement during an interview with Radiotelevisione Svizzera, Pope Francis urged Ukraine to “wave the white flag and negotiate,” emphasizing the necessity of peace talks amidst ongoing conflicts. His remarks, suggesting a symbolic gesture of surrender for the sake of negotiation, drew varied reactions worldwide, notably from the Ukrainian and German ambassadors to the Holy See who advocated for a cessation of hostilities from Russia on the social media platform X.

Amid these global responses, a conference titled “Truth, Justice, and Liberty in a Pluri-Anthropological World” at the Pontifical Gregorian University became a platform for further discussion. Professor Myroslav Marynovych, a prominent human rights activist from the Ukrainian Catholic University, shared his insights with EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser, expressing a contrasting interpretation of the pope’s “white flag” remark as a call to surrender, a notion firmly rejected by Ukraine in its strive for national preservation.

Pope Francis further elaborated in the interview that “Negotiations are never a surrender,” emphasizing the need for courage and not leading a country to self-destruction. The Vatican’s communications director, Matteo Bruni, clarified that the pope’s use of “white flag” aimed at advocating for a truce and the bravery to engage in dialogues.

Cardinal Parolin, in discussions with Coriere della Sera, reiterated the pontiff’s stance, asserting that the call for negotiation symbolizes strength and the pursuit of a just and lasting peace, not an admission of defeat. This series of exchanges highlights the complex dynamics of international diplomacy and the continuous search for peaceful resolutions in times of conflict.