Pope Francis has called upon Ukraine to consider negotiations as a means to end the ongoing conflict with Russia, which escalated two years ago with Moscow's full-scale invasion. The Pope's remarks were made in an interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded last month and set to air on March 20 as part of a new cultural program. 

In the interview, Francis emphasized the importance of courageously pursuing peace talks, urging Ukraine to have what he termed the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate for an end to hostilities. He stressed the need for international mediation in facilitating these negotiations, suggesting that negotiations should be initiated before the situation worsens further.

The Pope's comments come in the wake of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's latest offer to host a summit between Ukraine and Russia in an effort to bring an end to the war. Erdogan made the offer following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Istanbul. However, Zelenskiy has reiterated his commitment to peace while maintaining that Ukraine will not concede any territory.

While acknowledging the complexity of the situation, Francis expressed the view that negotiation is a courageous step towards ending the conflict, even in the face of defeat. He emphasized the importance of finding a mediator and not being ashamed to negotiate before the situation deteriorates further.

The Pope's advocacy for negotiations marks a significant intervention in the ongoing conflict, as he urges both parties to consider the human cost of continued hostilities. With tens of thousands of lives lost since the invasion began in February 2022, Francis' call for peace negotiations underscores the urgency of finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis.