Thursday, June 11, 2015

Pope Meets with Russian Pres. Putin at Vatican; Notes Putin's Need to Work for Peace in Ukraine

Pope Francis yesterday spoke with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, in a meeting focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that pose complex and contrasting diplomatic challenges for the two leaders, the Religion News website reports today (June 11, 2015).

Francis spent 50 minutes in a private meeting with Putin, to which the Russian leader arrived more than an hour late.

During the meeting, the pope affirmed the need to work sincerely toward peace in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of rebuilding a climate of dialogue, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists.

The pope also talked about the grave humanitarian situation in Ukraine and the need to give access to relief workers, Lombardi said.

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