Speaking on way back from Central Asia, Pontiff risks alienating loyal Catholics
Pope Francis spoke to reporters on a wide range of topics as he returned from Kazakhstan, discussing the war in Ukraine, immigration to Europe, China and Nicaragua. While for some, the Pope may have contradicted himself (having earlier this week said that God does not guide religions towards war, the Pontiff said, in reference to arming Ukraine, that it “is a political decision, which can be moral – morally acceptable – if it is done according to the conditions of morality”), this “just war” logic was reconcilable with his earlier statement. Indeed, the Pontiff said arming Ukraine could “be immoral if it is done with the intention of provoking more war or selling weapons”. He added: “To defend oneself is not only lawful but also an expression of love of country.”
