Русский
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has spoken with Pope Leo XIV, in what was described as “a constructive” phone conversation on Wednesday (June 4) during which they discussed a number of topics, including the Ukraine conflict. One of the issues was humanitarian: Ukraine has apparently refused to receive the bodies of 6,000 dead Ukrainian and foreign soldiers operating under its military command, with Putin updating the Pontiff of religious issues concerning these remains.
He also stated that Moscow wishes to settle the conflict through political and diplomatic means, stressing that its root causes should be addressed to ensure a lasting peace.
Russia maintains official relations with the Vatican: Rome has an apostolic nunciature in Moscow, and the Russian Federation is represented at the Holy See by a diplomat with the rank of ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary.
Putin also briefed the Pope on the progress made during the latest round of direct negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul, Türkiye on Monday, and emphasized that Russia is doing everything it can to ensure the reunification of the children who have been separated from their families during the course of the conflict.
Putin also drew the pontiff’s attention to the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church by Kiev authorities. He said that he hoped that the Holy See would more actively support religious freedom in Ukraine. The Russian President and Pope Leo agreed to strengthen bilateral ties and to intensify efforts aimed at protecting Christians worldwide.
The Ukrainian President Zelensky is Jewish and has been ordering the closure of Orthodox churches in Ukraine on the basis that they are propaganda tools for the Kremlin. That included the issuing of a law last year, banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) from operating, effectively criminalising attendance. About 63% of Ukraine’s population, identifies as Orthodox, while approximately 10.2% identify as Greek Catholic. Other Christian denominations, including Protestants and Roman Catholics, make up a smaller percentage of the population.
Putin thanked the head of the Catholic church “for his willingness to assist in resolving the crisis” as well as the Holy See’s role in mediating pressing humanitarian issues between Moscow and Kiev.
The 69-year-old cardinal Robert Prevost was elected Pope early last month, the first American ever to assume the role. He succeeded Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at the age of 88.
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