MOSCOW, Dec 15 an apology to Russia for the Pope's remarks about Chechens and Buryats, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.
In late November, the pontiff, in an interview with the magazine Amerika, which publishes the Jesuit order, said that the most cruelty during a special operation in Ukraine is allegedly shown by soldiers brought up outside the Russian tradition. As an example, he named Chechens and Buryats.
«Through diplomatic channels, an appeal has been received from the Vatican, which contains an official statement on behalf of the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Pietro Parolin, in connection with the mentioned statement of the pontiff. This appeal reads as follows: The Vatican Secretariat of State apologizes to the Russian side. The Holy See treats all peoples with deep respect Russia, their dignity, faith and culture, as well as to other countries and peoples of the world,» the diplomat specified.
According to her, the ability to admit one's own mistakes is less and less common in modern international communication. At the same time, this situation showed that the Vatican not only calls for dialogue, but also knows how to conduct it, «this approach causes sincere respect.» Zakharova.
The Pope's statement caused a wave of criticism in Russia. Thus, the head of the Buddhist traditional Sangha of Russia XXIV Pandito Khambo Lama Damba Ayusheev called the words of the pontiff about the cruelty of the Buryats unkind. In turn, the head of Buryatia, Alexei Tsydenov, noted that such a statement sounded at least strange. He stressed that the military republics are honorably fulfilling their duty, trying to protect and protect the civilian population, as well as treating prisoners of war with humanity.
The head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov also commented on the incident, saying that the Pope should be ashamed of ignorance of how Muslims treat the enemy.
Since February 24, a military special operation has been taking place in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin called it the ultimate goal of the liberation of Donbass and the creation of conditions that guarantee the security of Russia.