Papal trip to Russia in planning stage?
August 09, 2017
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, has said that he hopes to lay the foundation for a papal visit to Russia when he visits Moscow later this month.
Cardinal Parolin told the Italian daily Corriere della Sera that “a possible visit to Russia by the Holy Father” will be one of the key items on the agenda for his discussions with Russian officials. The cardinal is due to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill during his trip, which will take place August 20 to 24.
Pope John Paul II had long sought to arrange a visit to Russia, but his hopes were dashed by opposition from the Moscow patriarchate. Relations between Rome and Moscow have thawed under Pope Francis, and the two arranged an unprecedented personal meeting in Cuba in February 2016.
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Aug. 09, 2017 7:05 PM ET USA
Maybe the Pope could make a side trip to Kiev to visit his old friend, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Ukraine, who was bishop of Buenos Ayres for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church while Francis was archbishop there for the Roman Church. This would show support for the Pope's suffering flock in Ukraine and underline the Pope's belief that the Ukrainian Catholic Church exists and has a right to exist, since his two other hosts would dispute that. Ukrainians would sure appreciate it!
