"Pope Francis' 'White Flag' Comment Sparks Controversy in Ukraine and Beyond"

Pope Francis sparked outrage in Ukraine after suggesting that the country should not be ashamed to negotiate with Russia, leading to accusations of parroting Kremlin talking points. The comments, which were later clarified by the Vatican, were seen as a call for Ukraine to surrender to Russia. Ukrainian officials and foreign leaders expressed dismay at the remarks, with President Zelenskyy emphasizing the church's role in supporting the people on the front lines. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister rejected the idea of surrender and reaffirmed the country's determination to prevail. This is not the first time Pope Francis has faced criticism over his statements about Russia and Ukraine.