Finnish Christians message to Trump and Putin: Blessed are the peacemakers

As US president Donald Trump met with Russian president Vladimir Putin yesterday in Helsinki, Finland, they were sent a message of peace from Finn Church Aid (FCA) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF).

A sign hanging on the side of the FCA headquarters – very close to where the Trump-Putin summit was occurring – reads: 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God' (Matthew 5:9).

Presidents Trump and Putin were greeted with the sign 'Blessed are the peacemakers' at their meeting yesterday. Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

'The mission of the church and Christians is to act for a better and fairer world, and to pray for the realisation of all kinds of peace as a community,' said Laura Arikka, a member of the ELCF board. 'It is also important to pray for those who have the opportunity to influence things locally and globally.'

FCA executive director Jouni Hemberg said: 'Peace is the foundation on which everything else is built,' Hemberg said. 'It is up to all of us to promote peace and justice in this world.'

The text of the message can be seen as a blessing, prayer, or invitation, its creators said.

President Trump is facing criticism at home for his refusal to blame the Russian president for meddling in the 2016 US election and casting doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies.

Former CIA director John Brennan denounced Trump's performance as 'treasonous,' and Republican US Senator John McCain called the meeting with Putin a 'tragic mistake'.

News
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens
The groundbreaking BBC series that brought Jesus to TV screens

Seventy years ago, in February 1956, the BBC aired the mini-series “Jesus of Nazareth”, which was the first filming of the life of Jesus to be created for television. This is the story …

Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes
Christians mobilised to oppose extreme abortion law changes

Christians are being asked to urge peers to support amendments tabled by Baronesses Monckton and Stroud.

Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror
Thousands of Christians return to churches in north-east Nigeria despite years of terror

The faithful are returning “in their thousands, not hundreds” despite more than a decade of brutal violence.

Trump is '100 per cent' more spiritual after assassination attempt, says pastor friend
Trump is '100 per cent' more spiritual after assassination attempt, says pastor friend

Trump's pastor and friend Mark Burns said the US President knows "the hand of God' was on him when he survived the 2024 assassination attempt.