Pope Leo discussed the war in Ukraine on Saturday with metropolitan Anthony, a senior cleric of the Russian Orthodox Church, in a possible effort to facilitate ties between the churches, tensioned by the invasion of Russia.
Leo met Anthony, president of the Church’s external relations department, and five other high-level clerics during a morning audience, the Vatican said.
“During the conversation, numerous issues related to the state of orthodox-Catholic dialogue were raised, as well as conflicts ongoing in the world, including in Ukraine and the Middle East,” Russian Orthodox Church said in a statement.
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Since taking over the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed to peace in global conflicts and this month told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the Vatican was willing to host peace conversations between Russia and Ukraine.
The Russian authorities, however, said they do not face the Vatican as a serious place for talks because it is surrounded by Italy, a member of NATO, who has supported Ukraine.
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The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Patriarch Kirill, has enthusiastically supported the invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian Church statement also reported that Kirill’s congratulations were broadcast on Leo by his election as a Pope.
“Pope Leo 14 expressed his gratitude to his holiness, Patriarch Kirill, for his good votes and observed the importance of developing relations with the Russian Orthodox Church,” he added.
