Ever since the outburst of the current war, or rather since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I expected a tougher reaction from Pope Francis, not just praying for peace. He’s not only the Head of the Catholic Church, but also the sovereign of the Vatican City State. He said “the unacceptable armed aggression must stop.” So what? Is that enough? That’s what we all thought right from the start, but such a powerful leader should have gone further. Why hasn’t he met Putin yet? Why hasn’t he blamed him openly, without euphemisms or understatements? Doesn’t he realize he’s clearly disappointing millions of Roman Catholics around the world? His attitude certainly falls short of what we all wished for: an effort to mediate an end to this absurd war (as all wars) and its painful death toll.