Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis had an interesting and substantive discussion in Vatican. (Image via: Time Magazine)

Pope Francis and Putin Have A Discussion in Vatican

Kirana Chandra Mumpuni Budiana
Politics & Economic
International
Jul 05, 2019
1564
On July 4 2019, Pope Francis had a discussion with President Vladimir Putin at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The meeting was held a day before the Pope will meet Ukrainian Catholic leaders. According to the Vatican spokesperson, the discussion is mainly about various questions related to the life of the Catholic Church in Russia. They were also talking about the ecological question and various themes related to current international affairs. Those affairs are particularly about Syria, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

Both sides also expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations during the cordial discussions they had. Putin also expressed his gratitude for the time that Pope Francis provided for the discussion. It was a substantive and interesting discussion for Putin. The meeting was a part of Putin’s one-day visit to Rome. It comes a day before Catholic leaders from Ukraine gather in Vatican to discuss the continuing conflict there and the fallout between the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches. Last year, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine formally split from the Russian Orthodox Church. The schism recognized by the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians.This act was the cause of a fight in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russia-backed rebels.

At the end of their meeting, Pope Francis gave Putin a signed copy of his peace message for this year and a large 18th century etching of St. Peter's Square. In return, Putin gave the pope a DVD of a movie about the Renaissance master painter and sculptor Michelangelo by the Russian filmmaker Andrei Konchalovsky. He also gave a large painted Orthodox icon of the apostles Peter and Paul to Pope Francis. After enjoying the discussion with Pope Francis, Putin met the Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte. The meeting will be followed by a Russia-Italy forum with Conte and Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero. Putin will also meet privately with a long-time friend, former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, before return to Russia.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/pope-francis-and-putin-meet-at-vatican-discuss-syria-ukraine

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