A diplomat spoke about the Pope's mercantile interest in Russia

The Vatican Bank is linked to Russian capital and the Pope himself is involved in money laundering. This was stated by Yuriy Shcherbak, a diplomat and former Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, the USA and Canada, Espreso has said.

Facts have emerged that the Vatican Bank has a direct interest in Russian money and is actively involved in their laundering. It is becoming obvious that the Pope himself is interested in this. Therefore, there is a mercantile interest in his statements," Shcherbak explained.

The diplomat recalled the Pope's statement about the "white flag", when he said that Ukraine "should dare to raise the white flag and start negotiations with Russia". The Vatican then tried to justify Pope Francis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted to Francis' statement, saying, "When the Russian evil started this war on 24 February, all Ukrainians stood up to defend themselves. Christians, Muslims, Jews - everyone. And I thank every Ukrainian chaplain who - with the army, in the Defence Forces. There, on the front line. Defending life and humanity. Support and prayer, and conversation, and deed."

Shcherbak added that the figure of the Pope has become badly treated even in Poland, where there are many Catholics. They write and speak negatively about him there, also suspecting him of links with Russia.