Pope calls on Ukrainians and Russians to forgive each other

Pope Francis. Photo: gazeta.ru

Pope Francis on Forgiveness Sunday urged Russians and Ukrainians to forgive each other, Leonid Sevastyanov, chairman of the World Union of Old Believers, told tass.ru, citing a personal conversation with the pontiff.

According to him, the Pope also asked forgiveness from all those whom he may have offended in Russia and called on Russia and Ukraine to sit down at the negotiating table.

The pontiff noted that Christian virtue is mutual forgiveness and the protection of human life.

Earlier, the RCC head expressed his readiness to meet Russian and Ukrainian heads of state Vladimir Putin and Vladimir Zelensky.

The Pope added that if "he is not in Kyiv now, it is only because he cannot come to Moscow at the moment".

As earlier reported, the Pope awarded the OCU "bishop" for "efforts for the benefit of the Ukrainian Church".

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