A diplomatic approach is not alien to the church in Rome, used to keeping secrets. This reputation has made the Pope and his cardinals trusted mediators in world affairs. It was a surprise, then, when Pope Francis lost his sense of neutrality and suggested to war-torn Ukraine that it should raise the white flag in its conflict with Russia. In an interview with TV channel Radio Television Suisse, the Pope insisted that he believes “that those who have the courage to raise the white f ...