Pope: "Heard About NATO Movements Concern Several Months Before Ukraine Invasion"

"Reported Hearing Possibility of War Outbreak from a National Leader"

Pope Francis [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Pope Francis revealed that he heard concerns about the possibility of war breaking out from a national leader before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

According to the Jesuit regular publication La Civilta Cattolica issued on the 14th (local time), the Pope made these remarks during a meeting with the editors of La Civilta Cattolica at the Vatican on the 19th of last month.

The Pope said, "A few months before the war started, I met a head of state. He was a wise man who spoke very little," adding, "After saying everything he wanted to say, he told me, 'NATO's movements are very worrisome.'

He continued, "When I asked why, he said, 'They (NATO) are barking at Russia's door. They do not understand that Russia is an empire and will not allow any foreign power to approach,' and warned that 'the current situation could lead to war.'

The Pope did not disclose the identity of the head of state. Last October, during the G20 summit held in Rome, Italy, the Pope met with several national leaders who visited the Vatican. One month earlier, in September, he met with Prime Ministers Viktor Orb?n and Eduard Heger during his visits to Hungary and Slovakia, respectively.