In Georgia, Francis makes veiled criticism of Russian aggression

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Pope Francis and Orthodox Patriarch Ilia II of Georgia arrive for a meeting at the patriarchal palace Sept. 30 in Tbilisi, Georgia. (CNS/Paul Haring)

by Joshua J. McElwee | Sep. 30, 2016

TBILISI, GEORGIA Pope Francis made a veiled criticism of continued Russian aggression towards its neighboring countries on the first stop on a two-day visit to this Caucasus country, calling for more respect for the "sovereign rights" of nations under international law.

Speaking in a welcoming ceremony Friday after Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili sharply criticized Russia's actions following a 2008 war between the countries, which left two regions of Georgia occupied by Russian-backed separatists, the pontiff also called for freedom of movement between the occupied areas and the rest of the country.

Francis told Margvelashvili and Georgia's political leaders during the event at the country's presidential palace that peaceful coexistence between countries requires "mutual esteem and consideration, which can never lay aside respect for the sovereign rights of every country within the framework of international law."

A diverse, multicultural society requires that people "coexist peacefully in their homeland, or are free to return to that land, if for some reason they have been forced to leave it," the pope added.

https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican/georgia-francis-makes-veiled-criticism-russian-aggression