What if Pope Francis were to travel to Kiev?

[thucythucy]

It's a thought I had when I heard about the leaders of Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovenia heading there.

It would make sense for the Pope to show solidarity with Ukraine, which as I understand it has a large Catholic population.

Would this make Putin reconsider random bombing and missile attacks on the city? Killing--murdering--civilians is one thing but the prospect of murdering the world-famous spiritual leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics world-wide might give even a thug like Putin pause.

Not that he'd care personally, but the reaction around the world would be shattering. Russian embassies burned or seized throughout Latin America, in Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, the Philippines.... Predominantly Catholic nations withdrawing their ambassadors. Tens of thousands of the faithful flooding into Ukraine to take up arms. Not to mention those Catholics in Russia who, if they heard nothing else about the war, would certainly hear the news about the death of the Pontiff.

I know, a pipe dream, but if any Pope were to consider such a radical move, it would be Francis. Shades of "The Shoes of the Fisherman."

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. The vast majority of practicing Christians in Ukraine are orthodox. Its Catholic population is very

small. Those who are Catholic are mostly Greek Rite. Francis doesn't hold much sway there.

Also, it's Kyiv.

[thucythucy]

3. Yes, I see that now.

It would still be an amazing move, though as I say, a pipe dream.

[paleotn]

2. In general, I like the idea, but.....

Most Ukrainians and Russians are Eastern Orthodox. They don't think the Roman Catholics are doing it right. Haven't since 1054.

[thucythucy]

5. Yes, I should have checked before I posted.

It still would be a major move. I can't think of any other world figure or celebrity who would have that level of impact.

But of course unlikely to the point of impossible.

[electric_blue68]

8. There are Ukrainian Americans who like my self grew up in a Ukrainian Catholic Church in NYC...

One of my Greek American cousins (my mom's side) big history buff said something about The
Ukrainian Catholic Church agreeing to keep the Orthodox Church's Calander for X reason.


So we watch Easter swing back & forth around what we call "American Easter". 👍

[Igel]

4. I think it would be not so good.

Not a large Catholic contingent in most of Ukraine.

[Totally Tunsie]

6. It would just give Pootie a bigger target.

[Cracklin Charlie]

7. Dictators do not like this pope.

Not that I care what they like.

[Hekate]

9. Pope Francis is Roman Catholic. Ukraine is very largely Orthodox. Different system.

[thucythucy]

10. Thinking it over: probably not a good idea.

I suppose he'll have to wait until Pootie attacks Poland.

[thucythucy]

11. Thinking it over again

I think it would in fact be a dramatic gesture and increase Moscow's isolation.

Or--better yet--he could lead a humanitarian convoy into one of the besieged areas. Putin would then be faced with the choice of letting the relief through, or targeting the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics with lethal force,

Gandhi might have done it, danger or no.