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France is rising up! The once-celestial reputation of Pope Francis is now taking a nosedive among the French populace. Ever since he snubbed the country with his refusal to officially visit and ignored the reopening of Notre Dame last December, deep-seated discontent has festered. The Pope’s decisions regarding international politics over the last twelve years—including his stance on the Ukraine War and his troubling alliances—have sparked intense criticism from a nation that stands firm against tyranny.
Francisco Faces Backlash over Ukraine and Allying with Authoritarian Regimes
In the wake of the Ukraine conflict, many in France, an ardent supporter of Kyiv, are voicing their disdain. During a March 2024 interview, the Pope’s call for Ukraine to “lift the white flag” has fueled outrage. Giovanni Maria Vian, the former director of The Roman Observer, labeled these words as “disastrous” and accused the Pope of becoming “filorruso” due to his anti-American sentiment. It’s a shocking turn of events when the American president, Donald Trump, finds himself on the same side as this Argentine Jesuit!
Analysts in France are suggesting that the next Pope must exhibit a more assertive stance—one that doesn’t shy away from confronting evil. Bertrand Badie, a prominent professor, insists that Pope Francis’s diplomatic ambiguity has only deepened the divisions within the Church and weakened its global standing.
Historical Inaction Raises Eyebrows
The editorial in Le Figaro reminded readers of the Pope’s stubbornness in not condemning the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. His reluctance to address the plight of Armenians fleeing ethnic cleansing at the hands of Azerbaijan only adds to this growing list of failures. Critics are appalled at the 2018 agreement with Xi Jinping, enabling the Chinese communist regime to control the appointment of bishops. Cardinal Joseph Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, has rightfully voiced his condemnation of this betrayal!
Isabelle Lasserre from Le Figaro took it a step further, stating that in terms of international politics, Pope Francis stands at the opposite end of the spectrum from the revered John Paul II. According to Lasserre, the last Pope embraced “peace at any price” instead of taking a firm stand against aggressors, refusing to recognize even justified warfare, as exemplified by the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine!
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