Pope says he needs to meet with Patriarch Kirill

Pope Francis. Photo: pap.pl

Pope Francis told reporters of his intention to meet with Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, pap.pl reports.

According to the head of the Vatican, their meeting, which was scheduled for June or July 2022, did not take place due to the war in Ukraine, "but it will have to be done."

“Since the beginning of the war, I have communicated with Patriarch Kirill only once – 40 minutes on Zoom,” the pontiff said.

According to him, he is in contact with the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church through Metropolitan Anthony, the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

As the UOJ wrote, the Pope said that the Vatican is involved in a "not yet public" peace mission, the purpose of which is "to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine."

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