Pope Francis says war in Ukraine benefits arms dealers

Pope Francis expressed the opinion that arms dealers are interested in the war in Ukraine: "interests in this war are not only connected with the Ukrainian-Russian problem, but with the sale of weapons, arms trade."

Source: Pope Francis on board a plane returning from a trip to Marseille, France, Reuters

"It seems to me that the interests in this war are not only connected with the Ukrainian-Russian problem, but with the sale of weapons, arms trade. We must not play games with the martyrdom of this people. We have to help them solve things... I see now that some countries are moving back, they don't want to give (Ukraine) weapons. A process is beginning in which the martyr will definitely be the Ukrainian people, and this is unpleasant."

 Pope Francis suggested on Saturday that some countries are "playing games" with Ukraine, first providing weapons and then reneging on their commitments.

Francis made the comments in response to a reporter's question about whether he was upset that his efforts to bring peace had failed. He said he was "somewhat disappointed" and then started rambling on about the military industry and the war.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni clarified Francis' words. Bruni emphasized that the Pope does not take a position on whether countries should continue to send weapons to Ukraine or stop sending them:

"It was a reflection on the consequences of the arms industry: the Pope said that those who trade arms never pay for the consequences of their choices , and they leave them to pay people, such as Ukrainians, who die a martyr's death."

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 24/09/2023