Vatican takes “weapons of the spirit” to the front lines
The Vatican has offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, while not hiding its displeasure with those who are sending weapons to Kyiv
So what exactly can the Vatican do about the war in Ukraine?
Devoid of any possibility for military or economic sanctions, it has at its disposal two types of offensive.
First, the spiritual dimension of its efforts, which is an integral part of the Holy See's initiatives in cases of tension or conflict.
At the end of February, the pope called for fasting and prayer for peace in Ukraine, just as he did in 2021. In his homily for Ash Wednesday, he described this as employing "weapons of the spirit".
The pope’s personal initiatives
It was in the name of this spiritual dimension that Francis personally went to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See on February 25, just a few hours after the invasion of Ukraine began.
As the capitals of the world were studying how to sanction Moscow, diplomats voiced mixed reactions to the pope’s initiative.
"It is a prophetic act, to be situated on a spiritual level," commented one pragmatic European diplomat based in Rome.
"It can be seen as the step of a man of prayer,” agreed another observer. “But it is also a signal, that of a strong commitment to peace, sent to the entire Vatican diplomatic network."
After returning from the Russian embassy, Francis then telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Vatican mediation?
In the last few days, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the pope's "foreign minister", have expressed their willingness to "facilitate dialogue" between the two warring parties.
But a number of diplomats believe that’s not realistic.
"The gesture is interesting, but for the moment, they are not able to do it," said one ambassador to the Holy See, noting that "the Vatican is too committed to Ukraine" for Russia to accept its offer.
In fact, mediation is in line with the tradition of the Holy See. Over the past several years Vatican diplomats helped play a role in diffusing volatile situations in Bolivia, Colombia and Nicaragua.
But they have not been successful in other countries, such as Venezuela.
"We got our fingers burned there," said a senior Vatican official.
"For mediation to work, both parties must agree to it," he added.
Opposition to arming the Ukrainians
But beyond the question of mediation, the Holy See is also calling for the creation of humanitarian corridors to evacuate Ukrainian refugees.
Meanwhile, papal diplomats have been extremely critical of those Western countries that are sending massive arms shipments to Ukraine.
The Vatican fears this will only worsen the situation on the ground and will prove ineffective in resolving the conflict.
Pope Francis is 100% in agreement with this. He’s always been one of the world’s most outspoken critics of arms dealers.
In any case, the Holy See is following the situation in the region very closely.
Archbishop Gallagher visited Russia in November and sources said he had then planned to visit Ukraine in February or March. But the trip was then canceled after the Russian invasion.