Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, mentioned the battle in Ukraine throughout a non-public viewers Monday with Pope Francis within the Vatican.
The pope was “very concerned” in regards to the variety of casualties — particularly harmless civilians — which have occurred since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, stated Col. Dave Butler, Gen. Milley‘s spokesman.
Rome was a cease on the U.S. basic’s itinerary of European international locations. He has performed a central function in securing navy help for Ukraine from different NATO international locations.
Gen. Milley, a training Catholic, was out of uniform in the course of the viewers with the Roman pontiff. He wore a easy black go well with fairly than an Army gown uniform lined in ribbons and decorations acquired over greater than 40 years within the navy.
He was in civvies in the course of the viewers due to diplomacy and Vatican protocol, Col. Butler stated.
“There’s only one group that’s allowed to wear a uniform at the Vatican — the Swiss Guard,” he stated.
The Swiss Guard is an armed navy drive that has been defending the pope and the Apostolic Palace throughout the territory of Vatican City since 1506. In its ceremonial function, the guard wears a blue, pink, orange and yellow striped gown uniform with a distinctly Renaissance look.
Gen. Milley knew he must carry a civilian go well with for his assembly with Francis in his research, Col. Butler stated.
“It was all part of the itinerary,” the colonel stated. “We had visited the Vatican a couple of months ago and planned to visit with the pope, but he was unavailable.”
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