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 spending there five weeks because of an infection that led to him contracting 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.

READ MORE: Vatican reveals cause of Pope Franciss 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."

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 March 2024, he said Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate peace, which many took as a call for surrender. At the time, former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba hit out by saying that Ukraine has only one flag and that it never intends to raise any others.

In 2022, Francis suggested the Ukraine conflict may have been "provoked or not prevented," referring to NATO expansion and Kiev's ambitions to join the bloc, which Moscow has long regarded as a red line.

US President Trump and Ukrainian leader Zelensky are both expected to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.

(RT.com)