Foreign Ministry summons Vatican Nuncio over Pope's words on Dugina

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, to express disappointment with the words of Pope Francis about the death of Russian journalist Darya Dugina, reports the Foreign Ministry's press service on its official website.

"Visvaldas Kulbokas was told that Ukraine is deeply disappointed by the Pontiff's words, which unfairly equate the aggressor and the victim. At the same time, Pope Francis' decision to mention in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian war the death of a Russian citizen on the Russian territory, which Ukraine has nothing to do with," the statement said.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed during a briefing with his Italian counterpart in Kyiv that the very invitation of the Nuncio to the ministry is a case quite unprecedented and speaks for itself, reports ukrinform.

"I will say bluntly that the Ukrainian heart breaks at the Pope's words. It was unfair," Kuleba added.

The Ukrainian foreign ministry expressed hope that in the future the Vatican will avoid unfair statements "causing disappointment in Ukrainian society".

Earlier, the Pope called Darya Dugina an innocent victim of war.

Later, Ukraine's Ambassador to the Vatican, Andriy Yurash, criticized the pontiff for his words about the dead Russian journalist.

Read also

Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say

Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.

Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.

UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"

UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.

Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health

Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".

ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY

Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.

Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed

An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".