Pope pays tribute to journalists killed in Ukraine conflict
By Philip Pullella
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (Reuters) -Pope Francis paid tribute on Sunday to journalists killed in the course of the Ukraine struggle saying he hoped God would reward them for serving the widespread good no matter aspect they have been on.
Talking to journalists aboard the airplane getting back from Malta, Francis additionally repeated that he was able to make a visit to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, however added that he had but to resolve if it could be possible.
“I want to categorical my condolences on your fallen colleagues, no matter aspect they have been from,” he stated.
“Your job is a job for the widespread good. They’ve fallen in service of the widespread good of data. Let’s not neglect that they have been brave. I pray for them, I pray that the Lord rewards their work.”
At the least six journalists have now died since Russian forces invaded Ukraine in late February.
Francis stated he was additionally getting data on Ukraine in phone contacts each few days with Rome-based Argentine journalist Elisabetta Piqué, a private good friend who has been overlaying the struggle from the beginning.
On his strategy to Malta on Saturday Francis stated a visit to Kyiv was “on the desk”.
“I’m keen to do every little thing that may be performed. The Holy See is doing every little thing on the diplomatic aspect. For causes of prudence and confidentiality, we will not make every little thing public,” he stated on the airplane.
“I do not know if it (a visit to Ukraine) might be made, whether it is handy to make it and if it could be for the nice … all is up within the air,” he stated.
He stated he had spoken twice to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy because the struggle began however indicated that the final time he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin was in the beginning of the yr.
In a speech on Saturday, Francis implicitly criticised Putin over the invasion, saying a “potentate” was fomenting battle for nationalist pursuits.
Francis has strongly condemned what he has known as an “unjustified aggression” and denounced “atrocities” however he has solely referred to Russia immediately in prayers, reminiscent of throughout a particular international occasion for peace on March 25.
He stated he want to meet this yr with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church, whose help for the struggle has break up the worldwide Orthodox group.
In the course of the Malta journey the 85-year-old pope was affected by a flare-up of knee ache as a result of an infected ligament that compelled him to make use of lifts to board and disembark planes. He additionally needed to sit for components of an extended Mass on Sunday.
“My well being is a bit capricious,” he stated in response to a query. “This knee drawback with shifting, strolling. However it’s getting higher. Two weeks I could not do something. It is gradual going however at this age we do not know the way the match will finish. I hope it goes effectively”.
Francis stood for about 20 minutes chatting with journalists whereas on the airplane and didn’t look like in any discomfort.
(Reporting by Philip PullellaEditing by Alexandra Hudson and Chizu Nomiyama)
