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Pope Francis has blamed the weapons industry for being a key driver of the “martyrdom” of Ukrainians during Russia’s invasion of its neighbor,
“It seems to me that the interests in this war are not just those related to the Ukrainian-Russian problem but to the sale of weapons, the commerce of weapons,” he said in a conversation with reporters while returning from Marseille, France.
The pope then went on to criticize the withholding of weapons — an apparent reference to Poland’s recent announcement that it is no longer sending arms to Ukraine.
“We should not play games with the martyrdom of these people … “I’ve seen now that some countries are pulling back, and aren’t giving weapons,” he said.
A number of countries, including the United States, face internal political pressure to stop or curtail spending on weapons sent to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to US lawmakers on Thursday for continued support amid doubts by some Republicans over whether Congress should approve more aid.
Francis has long denounced the weapons industry as “merchants of death,” but he has also asserted the right of countries to defend themselves.
Francis had been asked by reporters if he was frustrated that his efforts to bring about peace in Ukraine had not succeeded.
The Vatican has sent an envoy, Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, to Kyiv, Moscow, Washington and Beijing to meet with leaders there.
Francis said he did feel “some frustration.”
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