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Pope discusses war in Ukraine with top US general

22 August 2023 05:31 (UTC +04:00)

Pope Francis discussed the war in Ukraine with the top United States general during a meeting at the Vatican Monday, APA reports citing Kyivpost.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley was “honored and privileged” to have the opportunity to meet the Pope, according to spokesperson Col. Dave Butler.

The two met for about 30 minutes, and Milley presented Pope Francis with a copy of the US Constitution, Butler said.

During the discussion about Ukraine, the Pope was particularly concerned about the number of civilian casualties during the ongoing war.

Milley, who routinely meets his counterparts and other dignitaries in his formal dress uniform, was instead wearing a civilian suit.

Pope Francis has been an outspoken critic of the war in Ukraine. Earlier this month while in Portugal, the Pope rhetorically asked what path Europe was taking if not to end the war in Ukraine. He has urged Russia to rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative and said the Vatican is part of a mission to end the war in Ukraine.

In a video released by the Vatican, Milley is heard telling the Pope that he would pray for him.

It was a “humbling experience overall” for Milley to meet the Pope, Butler said.