Biden makes impassioned plea at UN, warns world can't abandon Ukraine
USA TodayAPR 2 2023
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
After suggesting the war in Ukraine was a consequence of NATO "barking at Russia's gate" and subsequently offending Ukraine by invoking the enlightened Russian empire, the pope is now denigrating the weapons industry as a key driver of the "martyrdom" of Ukraine's people. Francis should take greater care before sharing his political opinion as, in his own words, the Catholic Church is "not a political organization."
Establishment-critical narrative
Pope Francis has condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, made countless appeals to end the war, and repeatedly offered to mediate a peace process throughout the conflict. It's disappointing that the pontiff, who rightly calls out those producing weapons of war as merchants of death, is under fire for stating the truth — that the Ukrainians are paying the price for the greed of western nations and the actions of the arms industry.