Russian Orthodox patriarch gives book, icon to Pope Francis

March 22, 2013

Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has given Pope Francis an icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary and a copy of his book, Freedom and Responsibility. Metropolitan Hilarion, the Russian Orthodox Church’s chief ecumenical officer, gave the items to Pope Francis during a March 20 audience.

“The first steps of Your Holiness after the election were marked by humbleness," Metropolitan Hilarion said to Pope Francis.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis accepts icon of Virgin Mary, book from Patriarch Kirill (Interfax)