The war in Ukraine it is fueled by the interests of various “empires” and not only by the “Russian empire”, Pope Francis said in an interview, excerpts of which were made public today.

The Pontiff said that the conflict was fed from “imperial interests, not only of the Russian empire, but also of empires elsewhere”.

At the same time, he noted that he is ready to talk to him Russian President Vladimir Putin to ask him for peace.

The Pontiff made these statements to the Italian-Swiss television network RSI, in the context of an interview he granted, which is expected to be broadcast on Sunday. Excerpts from it were published today by the Italian newspapers La Repubblica, La Stampa and Corriere della Sera.

Francis, 86, who will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his election on March 13, also says he will step down if he gets too tired and loses his ability to rule the Roman Catholic Church.

Last month, the Pope had said that the resignations head of it Roman Catholic Church should only be done under exceptional circumstances.

Benedict XVI’s predecessor, who died on December 31 aged 95, was the first pontiff to resign in about 600 years in 2013.

When asked what would lead him to make the decision to resign, Francis answered: “Fatigue that makes you not see things clearly. Lack of clarity, the way to evaluate situations”.

The Pope also says he is “a little embarrassed” to use a wheelchair because of a knee problem.

“I’m old. I have less physical stamina, the (problem with) the knee was a physical humiliation, although the recovery is going well now,” he notes.