Putin, Pope meet against backdrop of Ukraine crisis
ROME — Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis for “substantive talks” at the Vatican Thursday, and thanked the pontiff for discussions on a range of topics including Ukraine and the Catholic Church in Russia.
Francis received Putin in an hourlong audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. The two addressed “various questions of relevance to the life of the Catholic Church in Russia,” the Vatican said in a statement, adding that they also discussed “the ecological question and various themes relating to current international affairs, with particular reference to Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.”
The pair also expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations during the “cordial discussions,” the Vatican said.
“Thank you for the time you have dedicated to me,” Putin told Francis.
“It was a very substantive, interesting discussion,” he told journalists present at the exchange of gifts in the private papal study.
The meeting, part of Putin’s oneday visit to Rome, comes a day before Catholic leaders from Ukraine gather at the Holy See to discuss the continuing conflict there and the fallout from the schism between the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches.
The Vatican said the aim is to lend support “in the delicate situation in which Ukraine finds itself.”
Last year, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine formally split from the Russian Orthodox Church in a schism recognized by the spiritual leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians. The push for a fullfledged and independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church was bolstered by fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and Russiabacked rebels.
Some observers believe that Putin’s visit could be a prelude to a papal visit to Russia. No pope has ever set foot in Russia, but Putin’s foreign affairs adviser said the issue wasn’t on the agenda for the visit.
Putin later met with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giuseppe Fonte. The bilateral meetings will be followed by a RussiaItaly forum with Conte and Italian Foreign Minister Enzo Moavero. Putin will also meet privately with a longtime friend, former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, before returning to Moscow.