Pope says he will meet Ukraine officials to discuss possible trip

By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis stated on Saturday he would meet quickly with Ukrainian officers to debate the potential for a go to to their nation.

Francis disclosed the approaching assembly in a question-and-answer session with kids in one of many Vatican’s principal courtyards.

A Ukrainian boy named Sachar requested him: “Are you able to come to Ukraine to avoid wasting all the kids who’re struggling there now?”

The 85-year-Francis, who has been utilizing a wheelchair due to knee ache, responded that he usually considered Ukrainian kids and needed to go to the nation however had to decide on the suitable time.

“It’s not straightforward to decide that might do extra hurt than good to the remainder of the world. I’ve to search out the suitable second to do it,” he stated, in accordance with a Vatican transcript of the occasion. He didn’t elaborate.

“Subsequent week I’ll obtain representatives of the Ukrainian authorities, who will come right here to speak, to speak even about an eventual go to of mine there. We’ll see what occurs,” Francis stated. He gave no additional particulars.

The Ukraine warfare has compelled the Vatican to hold out a fragile diplomatic balancing act, a number of instances providing to mediate an finish to the battle.

Francis has a number of instances implicitly criticised Russian President Vladimir Putin over the invasion however with out naming him. He additionally has used phrases reminiscent of “unjustified aggression” and “invasion” and has lamented atrocities in opposition to civilians.

Francis has been invited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, Main Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Ukraine’s Byzantine-rite Catholic Church and Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash.

Yurash advised Reuters on Saturday he had no particulars of the assembly the pope talked about.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Enhancing by Christina Fincher)