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Pope Francis criticised for praising Russian imperialist heritage

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Pope Francis has come under scrutiny after his recent remarks to Russian youths, urging them to remember their historical lineage as heirs of past Russian tsars, including figures like Peter the Great.

These comments have sparked controversy due to their potential alignment with President Vladimir Putin’s justifications for the Ukrainian invasion.

The Ukrainian government expressed deep regret over the remarks, calling them “deeply regrettable.”

During a live video address to Catholic youths in St. Petersburg, Pope Francis initially delivered a prepared speech in Spanish.

However, he spontaneously shifted to Italian towards the end, stating, “Don’t forget your heredity. You are heirs of the great Russia – the great Russia of the saints, of kings, the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, the great Russian empire, cultured, so much culture, so much humanity. You are the heirs of the great mother Russia. Go forward.”

While the Vatican released the official text of the address without the impromptu Italian paragraph, religious websites shared a video of the pope’s complete remarks.

Oleg Nikolenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, took to Facebook to criticise the comments, linking them to the Kremlin’s imperialistic propaganda that has been used to justify the Ukrainian crisis.

Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Ukraine’s Eastern Rite Catholic Church expressed concern over the pope’s words, fearing they might embolden the ambitions of the aggressor country. He called for an explanation from the Vatican regarding the controversial statement.

Italian website Il Sismografo, which specialises in Catholic affairs, published an editorial characterising the pope’s words as “odd” given the delicate historical context.

The editorial highlighted the actions of Catherine the Great, who annexed Crimea in 1783, and her protection of Jesuits in Russian-controlled areas after the global suppression of the Jesuit order by Pope Clement XIV in 1773. Pope Francis himself is a Jesuit.

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously praised Tsar Peter the Great, drawing parallels between his historical pursuits and Russia’s current actions. Putin has repeatedly employed historical narratives to justify the Ukrainian crisis, denying the nation’s distinct identity and history of statehood.

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and Belarusian news site Nexta criticised the pope’s remarks, with Ilves calling them “revolting.” Nexta emphasised the historical resistance of Catholics in Poland, Lithuania, and Belarus against Russia’s influence.

While Pope Francis has condemned Russia’s brutal actions in Ukraine, emphasising the violation of a nation’s right to self-determination, he has also faced criticism for certain extemporaneous statements.

Last year, he upset Kyiv by referring to Russian ultra-nationalist Darya Dugina as an innocent victim of war, prompting Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to voice strong objections.

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Israel and Hamas agree to landmark hostage deal

Israel and Hamas agree to release hostages in U.S.-brokered deal, marking a potential turning point in Gaza conflict.

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Israel and Hamas agree to release hostages in U.S.-brokered deal, marking a potential turning point in Gaza conflict.


In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and Hamas have agreed to release all remaining Israeli hostages under a U.S.-brokered framework. The deal pairs prisoner exchanges with an Israeli troop pullback and expanded aid access, marking a potential turning point in the two-year Gaza conflict.

The agreement, set for approval by Israel’s cabinet, could pave the way for lasting peace if both sides uphold the terms. It follows weeks of negotiations led by U.S. envoys and regional mediators in Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye.

As international agencies prepare to facilitate aid and logistics, the world watches to see whether this fragile deal can hold and bring relief to millions affected by the war.

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Google leads Australia media tax rankings

Google leads in Australian media tax payments, unlike Netflix and others, igniting discussions on fairness and corporate responsibility.

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Google leads in Australian media tax payments, unlike Netflix and others, igniting discussions on fairness and corporate responsibility.


Google is currently on the of top of Australian media tax payments, while Netflix, Dentsu, and Singtel pay nothing, sparking a fresh debate over fairness and corporate responsibility in the industry.

#TaxTransparency #Google #Netflix #CorporateResponsibility #AustraliaBusiness


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Trump eyes Middle East visit as Gaza ceasefire talks advance

Trump may visit Middle East this weekend as Kushner seeks Gaza ceasefire amid positive Egypt talks and Turkey’s confirmation.

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Trump may visit Middle East this weekend as Kushner seeks Gaza ceasefire amid positive Egypt talks and Turkey’s confirmation.


President Trump may visit the Middle East this weekend as Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff push for a Gaza ceasefire.

Recent Egypt talks and cooperation from Israel and Hamas raise hopes for a deal, with Turkey confirming progress.

#GazaCeasefire #TrumpMiddleEast #Kushner #PeaceTalks #IsraelHamas


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