The Vatican clarified that Pope Francis did not intend to glorify imperialist ideology in a recent speech that drew criticism for references to Russia's past. The pope's comments were made during an informal video address to young Russian Catholics, encouraging them to appreciate the positive aspects of Russian culture and spirituality. The Vatican's press officer emphasized that the intention was not to exalt imperialist logic or government figures but to highlight cultural and historical heritage.

The pope had mentioned historical figures like Peter the Great and Catherine II, referring to the great legacy of Russia and its saints. However, the speech faced backlash from Ukrainian officials who viewed it as supporting imperialist propaganda. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko criticized the remarks, linking such rhetoric to justifying actions harming Ukrainians and Ukrainian territory.

On the other hand, Russian officials welcomed the pope's words, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov appreciating the pope's understanding of Russian history. The pope had delivered a prepared speech in Spanish and added these comments in Italian.

Despite the controversy, Pope Francis has previously called for a ceasefire in the Ukrainian conflict and expressed concern over Russia's actions. In a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussions centered on ending Russia's war in Ukraine. The pope's attention to the situation was appreciated by Zelenskyy, who acknowledged the tragedy faced by millions of Ukrainians.