Relevant passages from an interview granted by Pope Francis to “America”, a Catholic publication under the auspices of the Jesuits in the United States of America.
Joey Kariveli, Vatican City
The Pope said that what the Holy See always seeks is peace and mutual understanding.
This is seen in an interview with Pope Francis published on Monday (28/11/22) by “America”, a Catholic publication under the Jesuits in the United States of America.
This is how the Pope responded to the question about the war in Ukraine.
The Pope has repeatedly expressed his willingness for the Holy See to mediate to end the war.
In the interview, the Pope answered questions on a variety of topics, such as the polarization of political and church life in the United States, the tendency to politicize feticide, child abuse, racism, and the relationship between the Vatican and China.
The Pope said that polarization is not the nature of the Catholic Church and explained that ideological partisanship is dangerous in society and the Church.
On the question of feticide, the Pope referred to the mystical dimension of the issue and reminded us not to politicize it.
The Pope stated that the problem arises when the destruction of a human life is turned into a political issue or when a shepherd uses political parties.
Asked about the cases of children being sexually abused by church ministers, the Pope revealed that significant progress is visible in the fight against the brutality of sexual abuse with the Church’s decision not to hide such cases.
When asked about the situation of people of African descent who are victims of apartheid in the United States, the Pope said that apartheid is an eternal sin against God and that the Church, pastors and laity must continue the struggle to eradicate it and establish a more just world.
To the question about some labeling him as a Marxist because of his financial investment policy, the Pope replied that he follows the Gospel and that he is most enlightened by the gospel blessings, specialness, and the criteria of what we are judged on the basis of.
In response to the question of the relationship between the Holy See and China, the Pope stated that he was adopting the path of dialogue and that dialogue is the best way to negotiate.
It may be slow, and there may be ups and downs, but Papa said he doesn’t see any other way.