Pope Francis presided Friday over a special prayer for Ukraine that harked back to a century-old apocalyptic Fatima prophecy about peace and Russia.

While the United States and Europe have quickly elevated Vladimir Putin to the role of primary wrongdoer, many leading Catholic theorists in Latin America are not willing to promote a simple vilification of the Russian side.

“In every age you make yourself known to us, calling us to conversion. At this dark hour, help us and grant us your comfort.”

Witnessing the level and scale of violence throughout these past days, I still can’t understand its source—violence without reason, senseless cruelty.

Pope Francis telephoned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before the president addressed the Italian parliament via video link March 22.

The war is not about Russia capturing Ukraine; it is about Russia challenging the Western world, which Mr. Putin and Patriarch Kirill both regard as evil.