Pope Francis openly acknowledged on Monday that his recent comments regarding Russia, which were interpreted by Ukraine as praise for imperialism, were poorly worded. He clarified that his intention was to remind young Russians of their rich cultural heritage rather than making a political statement.
Speaking to reporters during his return from Mongolia, Pope Francis also sought to assure China, with which the Vatican has complex relations, that the Catholic Church harbors no ulterior motives and should not be perceived as a foreign power.
“I was not thinking of imperialism when I said that,” Pope Francis remarked in reference to his comments made last month.
In an impromptu address to young Russian Catholics during a video conference on August 25, Pope Francis mentioned historical Russian figures, such as tsars Peter I and Catherine II, who expanded Russian territory. He told the young audience that they were heirs to the “great Russian empire.”
These comments sparked controversy in Ukraine, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has invoked the legacies of these monarchs to justify his actions in Ukraine, including the annexation of its territory. The Kremlin praised Pope Francis for his knowledge of Russian history.
Pope Francis clarified his remarks by stating, “Maybe it wasn’t the best way of putting it, but in speaking of the great Russia, I was thinking not so much geographically but culturally.” He mentioned Russian literary icon Fyodor Dostoevsky, one of his favorite authors, to emphasize the cultural aspect.
“It was an off-the-cuff comment that came to mind because I studied it (Russian history) in school,” he explained, referring to his mention of Peter and Catherine. He went on to highlight the profound beauty of Russian culture and stressed that it should not be overshadowed by political issues. Despite dark political periods in Russia’s history, Pope Francis emphasized that its cultural heritage remains accessible to all.
During the discussion, Pope Francis also addressed China, which played a significant role during his trip to Mongolia. In a Mass held on Sunday, he made an overture to Chinese leaders, encouraging them to ease restrictions on religion. He referred to the Chinese citizens as a “noble” people and urged Chinese Catholics to be “good Christians and good citizens.”
Regarding his future travel plans, Pope Francis, who uses a wheelchair and a cane, remained coy about his upcoming trips after a visit to Marseilles for an immigration conference next month.
