Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States, arrived on Monday in the Russian capital, where he held meetings with Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The 67-year-old Vatican prelate also met with Metropolitan Hilarion, chairman of the Moscow Orthodox Patriarchate's foreign relations department.

Following the diplomatic meetings, Gallagher celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Moscow.

Lavrov noted "the many convergences of views and interests" between Moscow and Rome, especially regarding "various conflicts around the globe".

"Russia appreciates the Holy See's efforts to uphold the rule of international law and the UN Charter, which are peaceful and diplomatic means of resolving conflicts," said a statement released by the foreign ministry on Monday.

Archbishop Gallagher voiced pleasure at an existing agreement between the Russian health minister and the Rome-based Bambino Gesù pediatric hospital.

He also noted that Russia and the Holy See are to sign an agreement to mutually recognize diplomas granted by each state.

But the broadcast was cut off when the British archbishop began to speak about "outstanding issues".

During the press conference, both Lavrov and Gallagher welcomed the "good bilateral discussions" between the Vatican and Russia, and the convergence of views, especially "on the multilateral level".

The Holy See diplomat's trip confirms that Moscow and Rome continue to look for ways to bolster Vatican-Russia diplomatic relations, both on the political and religious levels.

"Perhaps this trip is the prelude to a joint initiative on the promotion of peace," suggested an observer. He said Archbishop Gallagher's visit should be seen from "a perspective that is more political than religious".

Sources

• La Croix
• Paudal

It was Putin's third meeting with Pope Francis and fifth visit to the Vatican.

At the end of the 55-minute private meeting, Alessandro Gisotti from the Vatican press office, issued a statement describing the discussions as "cordial."

He said Francis and Putin "expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations".

This included signing a collaboration agreement between the Vatican's Bambino Gesu Pediatric Hospital and pediatric hospitals in Russia.

Putin also reported on the closed-door meeting, saying he and Francis had discussed the issues of protecting the Christian population of the Middle East and humanitarian assistance in Syria.

"It is important that the positions of Russia and the Vatican coincide in the issues concerning traditional values, promoting inter-religious and inter-civilisational dialogue," he said.

Other matters he and Francis discussed included developing relations between Russia and the Vatican. They agreed to pay special attention to cooperation in the fields of culture, education and healthcare, Putin reported.

He said Francis expressed interest in Tolstoy's and Dostoyevsky's literary works.

"We delved into [cultural ties and Russian literature] in a conversation with the pope.

"The pontiff allowed me to make it public that one of the books, which is always on his table, is Russian classical literature, including works by Dostoyevsky and Tolstoy," Putin commented.

"This was a very kind discussion. [We spoke about] some international issues and also about developing bilateral relations between Russia and the Vatican, including the spiritual aspect of this cooperation and humanitarian ties.

"Actually, he [the pope] said something else. I, he said, tell my clergymen that without Dostoyevsky's books, without realising the full depth of his philosophy, one cannot be a true priest," Putin said.

"That speaks volumes, you know. That indicates our mutual, profound spiritual roots. That's why our humanitarian events are such a success."

The transcript of the closed-door meeting was posted on the Kremlin's website on Friday.

Source

• Catholic Herald
• TASS
• TASS
• America Magazine
• Crux Now
• Image: Sputnik International