Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak today rejected Vatican efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia, saying Pope Francis is “pro-Russian.”

For months the Vatican has been trying to start talks between the two countries with the help of a special adviser.

Podoliak was referring to a statement the pontiff made in a speech in late August. On August 25, speaking out of context and addressing Russia’s young Catholics, Francis referred to Tsars Peter I and Catherine II – both of whom expanded Russian territories at the time – and told his audience that they are the heirs of “ of a great Russian empire”. This statement caused an outcry in Ukraine, because Russian President Vladimir Putin invokes the legacy of these two tsars to justify the invasion and annexation of Ukrainian territories. The Kremlin, on the other hand, praised the pope for his knowledge of Russian history.

After the backlash, the pope said he was referring to Russian culture, not Moscow’s politics, when he spoke of “great Russia”

“There is no point in talking about the mediation of the pontiff when he takes a pro-Russian position that is obvious to everyone,” presidential adviser Volodymyr Zelensky said today, speaking to the 24 news channel.

He emphasized that this statement had an “extremely negative” effect on the war, adding: “We are not receiving from the Vatican a fair assessment of this way of war and behavior.”

The Vatican has appointed Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as a special envoy for the Ukraine war. He has traveled to both capitals of the warring countries.

Pope Francis has repeatedly publicly called for a peaceful resolution to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

However, the head of the Roman Catholic church has not named Russia as the aggressor, drawing criticism from Kiev.