Pope Francis Denounces ‘Tyrants,’ Bishop Urges Peace

Pope Francis Condemns Global Tyranny, Calls for Peace

Pope Francis has issued a strong condemnation of “tyrants” who he says are ravaging the world, while simultaneously calling for global leaders to pursue peace. Speaking from Cameroon, the pontiff lamented that while a few tyrants cause destruction, the world is held together by many supportive individuals.

The Pope criticized those involved in ongoing conflicts, noting the ease with which destruction can occur compared to the long, difficult process of rebuilding. He pointed out the vast sums of money spent on warfare and devastation, contrasting it with the lack of resources for healing, education, and restoration.

Bishop Supports Pope’s Message, Clarifies ‘Tyrant’ Definition

Reverend Kenneth Novakski, the Bishop of London’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, expressed his support for the Pope’s message, calling it a call for peace, truth, and justice. Bishop Novakski emphasized that the Holy Father is fulfilling his role as the global leader of the Catholic Church by advocating for these values.

Addressing the interpretation of the Pope’s words, Bishop Novakski suggested that while the Pope’s remarks were widely seen as a reference to Donald Trump, the pontiff did not name any specific individuals. He believes that if the Pope intended to criticize a particular leader, he would have used their name directly. Bishop Novakski hopes the Pope’s comments were directed at those exercising actual tyranny, such as in Iran, rather than democratically elected leaders.

Call for Peace and Prayer for World Leaders

Bishop Novakski reiterated his daily prayers for all political leaders, including those in the United States. He shared that shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he would have told President Vladimir Putin to stop the war, stating that Putin has the opportunity to be known as a man of peace. He extended this plea to all world leaders, urging them to choose peace over violence and to stop wars.

When asked about the Pope’s reference to tyrants, Bishop Novakski stated that the Holy Father “says what he means and he means what he says.” However, he did not believe the Pope was referring to President Trump specifically, suggesting that if he were, he would have used Trump’s name. Bishop Novakski’s focus remains on praying for peace and an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

Controversy Over US War Secretary’s Remarks

The transcript also touched upon remarks made by US War Secretary Pete Hexith, who compared critics to Pharisees, a group known for scrutinizing Jesus Christ’s actions. Hexith suggested that politically motivated critics, particularly the American media, were blinded to the merits of American soldiers, similar to how Pharisees focused only on negatives.

Bishop Novakski expressed a desire to remain diplomatic and avoid engaging in political debates. He hoped Hexith was not referring to Pope Francis as a Pharisee, which was clarified to be incorrect, as the remarks were aimed at critics. The Bishop stressed the importance of avoiding name-calling in public discourse, recalling the childhood lesson that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”

Desire for Resolution and Focus on Ukraine

Bishop Novakski conveyed a strong desire to move past the recent heated exchanges and draw a veil over the conflict. He believes it is time for everyone to move forward and work towards creating a more peaceful and safer world. He found comments from figures like JD Vance, suggesting the Pope should be careful about theological views, to be curious, asserting that the Pope, as the leader of the world’s largest religious body, is in his rightful place when discussing such matters.

For the Ukrainian Catholic community, the ongoing war in Ukraine remains the primary focus. Bishop Novakski believes that President Trump could easily help end the war by telling Vladimir Putin to stop and withdraw. He expressed hope that the White House will respond to prayers and contribute to building a peaceful and better world.

The conversation concluded with Bishop Novakski reiterating his role as a messenger of hope for the people of Ukraine and the world, emphasizing his prayer that the White House will act in ways that foster peace.

Source: ‘The Pope Says What He Means’ | Catholic Bishop Backs Pope In His Damning Words for ‘Tyrants’ (YouTube)