Pope Francis mistakenly cited Russia’s Vladimir Putin instead of Germany’s Angela Merkel; he called the West’s two-decade-long intervention in Afghanistan an outsider’s attempt to impose democracy.
During a radio talk that broadcasted Wednesday, pope Francis was asked about the new political havoc in Afghanistan after the United States and its allies withdrew from the Taliban-controlled country after 20 years of war wreckage. The pope gave this to Spain’s Cadena COPE late last week at the Vatican city. On Wednesday, the talk was communicated by a radio station owned by Spain’s Catholic bishops’ group, which claimed that the Pope himself had approved all the content.
With regards to foreign force intervention and promoting unnecessary democracy in other countries, the pope remarked, adopting his translation into Spanish, “it’s time to put a stop to this reckless approach, attacking directly at the US. Pope Francis also stated that when Western allies evacuated Afghanistan, “not all the possible scenarios were taken into account, pointing at the failures of US troops.
During the meeting, Putin slammed the West over Afghanistan, claiming that the Taliban’s recognized quick takeover has demonstrated the futility of Western attempts to impose their version of democracy forcefully. Meanwhile, Merkel encouraged Russia to use its contacts with the Taliban to press to release Afghan citizens who assisted Germany, as per reports.
The Pope said- It is crucial to impose an immediate end to the irresponsible policy of intervening from outside…and creating a personal version of democracy in other countries. The pope said this, mistakenly thinking he was quoting Merkel. Pope added-I think this says a lot, and everyone can interpret according to their wish. But there I felt a pearl of wisdom in hearing this woman say this, referring to markel.
“I don’t know whether there will be a follow-up or not, but inevitably there was a lot of extortion, maybe, on the part of the new authorities of Afghanistan, he added, I should say deceit or a lot of naivetés, I don’t really understand.”
These words coming from Pope Francis show nothing but the good soul that he is and the acceptance of vulnerability in accepting the truth.
Last month, though, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the same thing in the presence of German Chancellor Angela Merkel during her visit to Moscow.
“Engage in prayer, penance, and fasting.”
In the wake of the events in Afghanistan, Pope Francis called on Christians worldwide to engage in “prayer, penance, and fasting.” It’s so good to see such a powerful political figure’s courtesy for our fellow beings who are in desperate need of consideration and acceptance.
West had made mistakes, and it is right to confess it- complete cowardice.
Several World leaders have expressed their dismay and alarm over the chaotic sights in Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, where the Taliban has positively and peacefully taken control. But Indeed, others regard the Afghan situation as merely a continuation of the United States’ long-standing desire to go alone.
Foreign Affairs Minister Luigi di Maio of Italy sent an identical sentiment on Sunday, telling the newspaper Corriere Della Sera that no fresh military commitments to Afghanistan would be made. According to a News translation of the interview, di Maio added, “Surely the West has made mistakes, and it is right to confess it.”
President Milos Zeman of the Czech Republic called it “cowardice,” adding that “the Americans have lost their worldwide leadership prestige.”
Another backlash came from Sweden- “When Joe Biden came in, expectations were sky-high – may be too high, unreasonable,” Carl Bildt, Sweden’s former Prime Minister, said. “His declaration stance on America is back, alluding to hope for a new era in our relationship. However, this did not occur, and there has been a transition in a relatively short amount of time. A scar has been left by the complete lack of consultations on the withdrawal.”
A male nurse “saved my life.”
Pope Francis also shared additional insights about his July 4 abdominal surgery for symptomatic diverticular stenosis, a constriction of the intestines, during the 90-minute conversation. He had to stay in the hospital for 11 days after the surgery. As several experts had advised, he said that a male nurse from the Vatican health services “saved my life” by persuading him to choose an operation over medication. “These things that are developed from the diverticula and who knows they grow extremely malformed, necrotic. Thank God, it was the right time, and here I am,” the pope added, disclosing that around 13 inches of his colon intestines had been removed. He said he’d been cured and was able to eat anything he wanted while still maintaining his packed lifestyle. He also indicated that he would attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland in November and go to Greece, Cyprus, and Malta shortly.
