Easter service in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia in 2017 | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Part XVII: The Ukraine Crisis
The crisis in Ukraine was the centerpiece of Pope Francis’s televised address on Easter Sunday. The pontiff delivered the annual “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) message in St. Peter’s Square, in which he called for peace on what he described this year as an “Easter of war.” The New York Times‘ Elisabetta Povoledo reported more details about the pontiff’s Easter message.
But Pope Francis is only partly correct. It is not simply an “Easter of War.” It is an “Easter of War and Peace.” The people of Ukraine and almost all its neighbors, especially the former members of the U.S.S.R., want simply to live in peace. And seek progress, prosperity, and socioeconomic benefits, many of which are treated now as human rights.
Perhaps Pope Francis should have requested President Putin to read again “War and Peace.” Yes, the literary work of the Russian author Leo Tolstoy used some of its chapters to discuss history and philosophy. It was first published serially, then printed in its entirety in 1869. It is regarded as one of Mr. Tolstoy’s finest literary achievements and remains an internationally praised classic of world literature.
If Mr. Putin did not have a copy of Leo Tolstoy’s classic book, Pope Francis could have told in his Easter message that “War and Peace” broadly focuses on Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812. It is a historical novel that provides a broad panorama of Russian society against the backdrop of the 1812 Napoleonic army’s invasion. Two key themes in the book are spirituality in the main characters and family happiness as the ultimate reward for spiritual suffering.
” …, he could bring along as his guest the Ukrainian president. Why? So that the three of them can celebrate the Orthodox Easter and end the anguish of Ukrainians, Russians, and humanity over the conflict in Ukraine.”
Or better yet, Pope Francis could have asked Mr. Putin if he could visit him at the Kremlin next Sunday, April 24th, which is when most Orthodox Churches, including the Orthodox Church of Russia, celebrate their Easter. The Orthodox Easter is delayed by one week because the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. He could have said that aside from delivering a copy of Mr. Tolstoy’s celebrated classic, he could bring along as his guest the Ukrainian president. Why? So that the three of them can celebrate the Orthodox Easter and end the anguish of Ukrainians, Russians, and humanity over the conflict in Ukraine.
The Pope can still call Mr. Putin and tell the Russian leader his desire to spend the Orthodox Easter with him and his Ukrainian counterpart in the Kremlin this coming Sunday.
It is about time now for all churches to start helping the poor, including refugees (especially those from Ukraine), feed themselves. Pope Francis can also tell Mr. Putin and all heads of state to join him in adopting the message sent to him by this column on March 23rd. This columnist suggests being named ” Papa Francis Pizza, ” like establishing pizzerias in all social halls of Christian churches. This columnist suggests being called “Papa Francis Pizza,” as explained in my column.
Why the need for the pizzeria project? Because churches must save not only the souls of their members for Heaven as the ultimate destination but also help nourish the members’ bodies while they are still on Planet Earth.
Perhaps Pope Francis and the Vatican should never forget the adage: “Will wonders, and miracles, ever cease?”
