"As justification for Hitler": religious scholar slams Pope's glorification of Russian imperialism

He expressed this opinion on the Espreso TV channel.

"After the Pope's statement on Russian imperialism, Ukrainian and Polish Catholics are protesting vigorously. After all, any justification of Russian imperialism and its presentation in some positive way should be as nonsensical as the glorification of Hitler. We do not hear such things about world dictators from religious leaders. We don't hear it because Jews have taught everyone that any statements that might offend the memory of the dead provoke a huge reaction," Chornomorets explained.

The religious scholar believes that the Pope should apologize to Ukrainians for glorifying Russian imperialism.

"We also saw a similar reaction from Muslims when the previous Pope said something about them without being careful. After the strong Muslim reaction to the Pope's words, he was forced to apologize. Accordingly, we as Ukrainians should protest no less than Jews and Muslims. In addition, such statements are very dangerous for the Catholic Church itself. After all, they may end up with empty churches," he added.

• On August 25, 2023, Pope Francis spoke online with Catholic youth in Russia as part of the X All-Russian Meeting held in St. Petersburg. The Pope called the Russians "descendants of great culture and humanity" and "great Russia." Ukraine's Foreign Ministry criticized the Pope for promoting narratives about Russia's "great power."

• Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Sviatoslav responded to the Pope's address to young people from Russia. 

• Ukrainian military historian Vasyl Pavlov believes that the controversial Pope's speech is an information and psychological special operation.