Nuclear weapons already pose a deeply concerning “existential threat” to the world says the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the UN, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero. He told the UN committee on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons that the threat is especially dangerous today. He highlighted the global increase in rhetoric and threats about nuclear weapons’ use, Read more
Russian President Vladimir Putin has likened himself to Jesus Christ as he explained his mission to uphold ‘traditional values’ to children. In a video call to mark the opening of children’s centres near Moscow, he was heard speaking in overtly religious terms about the need to shape the worldview of young Russians. Putin emphasised the Read more
In a stirring act of musical activism, rock superstars U2 united with a virtual Neil Finn for a special performance of the 1986 Crowded House hit “Don’t Dream It’s Over”. The artists were honouring the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and his wife Yulia’s continued fight against Vladimir Putin’s regime. Song of Freedom and Read more
On Vladimir Putin’s recent birthday, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow praised the president for being “selflessly devoted to the Fatherland, sincerely loving the Motherland and giving her all your strength, abilities and talents.” He made no mention of Putin’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine or the war that erupted after. Read more
In a new interview, Pope Francis laid to rest rumours that a papal visit to Kyiv could happen before his visit to Kazakhstan next week, saying he has been forbidden by doctors from travelling before that due to his ongoing knee troubles. Speaking to CNN Portugal, the pope said he has spoken to both Ukrainian Read more
“The ideas of a ‘Russian world’ and an ‘Orthodox society’ are based on bad theology,” says Russian Orthodox priest and theologian Cyril Hovorun. “They are heretical ideas. Theologically, they must be seriously deconstructed to reveal their fascistic and authoritarian dimension,” he insists. Hovorun, a 48-year-old native of Ukraine, is an archimandrite in the Ukrainian Orthodox Read more
President Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis met at the Vatican last Thursday to discuss environmental issues, the Catholic Church in Russia and current affairs in Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela. 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 Read more
The Russian Orthodox Church says it is being forced to split from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. Metropolitan Ilarion, the head of the Russian Orthodox church’s external relations, says Constantinople’s decision allowing the Ukranian Orthodox church to establish itself as an independent church is behind the move. Ilarion says the Constantinople Patriarchate synod’s decision to Read more
Cardinal Pietro Parolin will visit Moscow at the end of August. The Vatican secretary of state’s diplomatic visit aims to formalise Pope Francis’s peacemaking efforts to President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church. Read more
Vladimir Putin is linked to opposition to Pope Francis, says Andrea Tornielli. Tornielli has been described as the Pope’s favourite journalist. He made the the suggestion in an article co-written with Giacomo Galeazzi for the Italian newspaper La Stampa. It is headlined “Catholics who are anti-Francis but love Putin”. They quote sociologist Massimo Introvigne as Read more