The Vatican is considering deploying troops to Ukraine, a spokesperson for the Holy See confirmed.
As Russia’s military campaign in neighboring Ukraine approaches its fourth year, the war-torn nation may soon be receiving assistance from an unlikely ally.
A spokesperson for the Vatican stated on Tuesday that the Holy See is “strongly considering” deploying its own forces to the region to assist the Ukrainian military against Russia.
The spokesperson said that Pope Leo XIV was “very upset” by the loss of life brought on by the conflict.
“This conflict is something that weighs heavily on Pope Leo’s mind,” the spokesperson said. “He’s very upset by the massive loss of life this war has incurred, he wants to see an end to it soon.”
While exact figures aren’t clear, it is believed that the conflict, which started in February of 2022, has claimed the lives of over 400,000 Ukrainians and over 900,000 Russians. Russia says it launched the military operation in response to attacks on ethnic Russians inside Ukraine, but many question the legitimacy of this claim.
The spokesperson said that the Pope is committed to pursuing peace “by any means necessary”, and is assessing military options against Russia’s invasion, including the deployment of active combat personnel to the front lines.
“The Pontiff is committed to the pursuit of peace by any and all means necessary,” the spokeperson said. “That includes the deployment of military personnel to assist the Ukrainians on the front lines.”
Since its inception as a state in 1929, Vatican City has maintained a position of neutrality in global affairs. The city-state doesn’t have a standing military, relying primarily on Italy for military defense. It is unclear exactly what military personnel the Vatican would deploy to Ukraine, however some military analysts have speculated that the Pontifical Swiss Guard could be used in such a scenario.
Traditionally, the Swiss Guard serves as a military force tasked with guarding Pope, and only deploys abroad when the Pope travels. Deployment to fight in a foreign conflict would be unprecedented, but still within the Holy See’s authority.
Some have questioned the use of military force by the Vatican, saying that it would go against church doctrine. Others likened it to another crusade.
“Fighting a war?”, one post on X read, “Doesn’t that kind of go against the whole peace and love thing in the Bible?”
“Crusades back on the menu,” another comment said.
The Vatican addressed the concerns, citing what it says is relevant scripture that permits the use of force.
“Scripture is very clear in this matter,” the Holy See spokeperson said. “Psalms 82:3-4 obligates us to step in and defend the weak and the oppressed. Then you have Matthew 10:34, where Jesus Christ himself states, ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have come not come to bring peace, but a sword.’ His Holiness firmly believes that this permits the deployment of our military forces to assist the Ukrainians in repelling the Russian invasion.”
In the Catholic Church, the Pope is seen as the ultimate authority on matters of biblical interpretation. This doctrine, called “Papal infallibility”, states that the Pope is incapable of error in interpretation of doctrine and scripture.
Former Russian president and prime minister Dmitry Medvedev responded to the Vatican’s statement, warning the city-state to stay out of the conflict and suggesting that Italy take measures to prevent the Vatican from deploying its forces.
“It would be in the best interest of Italy, and all of Europe, to prevent the Catholic Church from acting on its brash threat,” Medvedev said. “Russia does not balk in the face of such threats, and by entering the war the Vatican would become a legitimate military target. The fate of European security is in God’s hands right now.”
Vatican City is situated within the city of Rome, meaning Russia would have to enter Italy’s airspace to carry out any kind of retaliatory attack. As Italy is a member of NATO, such an incursion would invoke Article 5, which requires all NATO members to assist the attacked member.
While Italy has not commented on the Vatican’s plan to deploy troops to Ukraine, it has reaffirmed its defensive commitment to Vatican City.
“Italy remains committed to protecting Vatican City from outside aggressors, and will not allow the use of our airspace for any attacks against it. This is non-negotiable.”
No deployment has been confirmed yet, and the Vatican says that there’s no certainty such a deployment will actually occur.
“We would like to emphasize that this is only one of many options we have. We hope that, through the grace and wisdom of God, the region will find peace and this war will come to an end.”
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