The late pontiff was a “disciple of Putin” rather than of God, MP Elizaveta Bogutskaya has said
A Ukrainian lawmaker from Vladimir Zelensky’s ruling party and numerous Ukrainian social media users have posted derisory remarks over the death of Pope Francis. They accused the late pontiff of having pro-Russian sympathies in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev.
The Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis had died in Rome at the age of 88 due to a “stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse.” He had been discharged from hospital in March after a five-week stay, having contracted double pneumonia.
While the pontiff’s death prompted an outpouring of condolences from world leaders and faith communities alike, some Ukrainians appeared not to share the sentiment.
Elizaveta Bogutskaya, an MP from Zelensky’s Servant of the People party, wrote on Facebook that she felt no sorrow, describing Pope Francis as a Russia sympathizer.
“I feel no sadness about the Pope’s death. First, he was an old man — eternal life is not granted to anyone except Jesus, and even He achieved it only after death. Second, the Pope was a disciple of Putin, seemingly more than of God. That’s why I don’t know why I should mourn,” Bogutskaya said.
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Vatican reveals cause of Pope Francis’s death
Ukrainian comedian Anton Tymoshenko expressed similar derision, writing on X: “The Pope was killed by a severe respiratory infection, but let’s first hear the infection’s side of the story.”
His comment was also reposted by Ukrainian parliamentarian Maryana Bezuglaya.
Папу Римського вбила тяжка респіраторна інфекція, але давайте спочатку вислухаємо позицію інфекції.
— Anton Tymoshenko (@_Tymoshenko) April 21, 2025
Commenting on Tymoshenko’s post, one user wrote, “The Pope just didn’t have any cards,” referencing US President Donald Trump’s dismissive remark to Zelensky during a tense Oval Office meeting in late February. At the time, Trump told Zelensky, “You don’t have the cards,” as he urged the Ukrainian leader to consider a ceasefire with Russia.
Former Ukrainian MP Vitaly Chepinoga also mocked Francis’ death, posting on Facebook: “I feel so sorry… Sorry that the Pope wasn’t named Maksim.” The comment alludes to a Russian pop song filled with expletives telling a story of public disdain for an elderly man after his death.
The anger stems largely from Pope Francis’ comments on the Ukraine conflict.
In 2022, Francis suggested the Ukraine conflict may have been ”provoked or not prevented,” a widely perceived reference to NATO’s refusal to countenance multiple warnings from Moscow over the military bloc’s eastward expansion and its courting of Kiev, long regarded by Russia as a red line.
In March 2024, Francis said Ukraine should have the “courage of the white flag” and negotiate peace, which many took as a call for surrender. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba retorted that Ukraine had only one flag and does not intend to raise any others.
US President Trump and Ukrainian leader Zelensky are both expected to attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome.
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