World War III has been declared – Pope Francis — Analysis

Pope Francis suggests that World War III has already begun, according to “intertwined elements”at work during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other global conflicts.

“A few years ago, it occurred to me to say that we are experiencing a third world war fought piecemeal,”In a interview that he gave to Jesuit media outlets on May 19, the Catholic Church’s head said this. It was published Tuesday. “Today, for me, World War III has been declared.”

Francis pointed out that, while fighting in Ukraine continues “pricks our sensibilities more,”In places like Myanmar and northern Nigeria, wars are also ongoing. “and nobody cares.”He continued, “The world is at war. This is something that should give us pause for thought.”

Is this what is going on with humanity, which has seen three world wars within a century? It is hard to believe that there were three world wars in one century, and all of the arm trade involved.

Acknowledging criticism for his failure to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin and his past comments suggesting that NATO expansion onto Russia’s doorstep might have provoked the crisis, the pontiff denied being “pro-Putin.”He stated that such a claim was possible. “simplistic and erroneous.”

“I am simply against turning a complex situation into a distinction between good guys and bad guys, without considering the roots and self-interests, which are very complex,”He said. “While we witness the ferocity and cruelty of Russian troops, we should not forget the problems and seek to solve them.”

Francis was asked how Jesuit editors could report on Eastern European conflict peacefully. “We have to get away from the common mindset of Little Red Riding Hood. Little Red Riding Hood, on the other hand, was a positive character. The wolf was a bad one. There are no good or bad metaphysical characters. Something global is emerging, with elements that are closely intertwined with each other.” 

He cautioned that one should not be solely focused on the positive. “brutality and ferocity”Conflict. “The danger is that we only see this, which is monstrous, and miss the whole drama that is unfolding behind this war, which was perhaps somehow either provoked or not prevented. Also, I see an interest in selling and testing weapons. It is very sad, but at the end of the day, that is what is at stake.”

Francis acknowledged the Ukrainian people’s heroism in protecting their country but pointed out outside forces that could put them at great risk. “What is before our eyes is a situation of world war, global interests, arms sales, and geopolitical appropriation, which is martyring a heroic people,”He said.

The pontiff reiterated his concern, first made public in an interview last month, that NATO may have instigated Moscow’s military offensive against Kiev. The pontiff recalled having a conversation only with one head of state. “a wise man,”A few months had passed before the fighting started. “He told me that he was very concerned about the way NATO was acting. I asked him why, and he said, ‘They are barking at the gates of Russia, and they don’t understand that the Russians are imperial and they will not allow any foreign power to approach them.’”

Francis also cautioned that if the Ukrainian Allies are defeated, “opened their hearts”To the children and women fleeing their country at the beginning of the conflict in its early days, assistance for refugees has already been offered “cooling down.”He continued, “Who will take care of these women? We need to look beyond the concrete action of the moment and see how we will support them so that they don’t fall into human trafficking or end up being used, because the vultures are already circling.”