Pope Francis draws criticism for extolling Russian imperialist Tsars

FILE PHOTO: Pope Francis holds the weekly general audience, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, August 9, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis came under criticism on Monday for telling Russian youths to remember that they are the heirs of past Tsars such as Peter the Great, who President Vladimir Putin has held up as an example to justify the invasion of Ukraine.

Francis made his comments last Friday in a live video address to Catholic youths gathered in St. Petersburg.