Pope Francis has said he is ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin but has not received a reply. Three weeks following Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, he called on the Russian president to meet with him. But the pope said he had not yet responded.
The pope made the revelation in an interview with the Italian newspaper Courier della Sera. On the 20th day of the occupation, Cardinal Pietro Parolin announced his readiness to visit the Russian President in Moscow. But so far there has been no response. The pope said Putin needed to open the doors of opportunity.
“I’m not going to Kiev right now. I have to go to Moscow first and see Putin.” – The pope clarified. They continue to be under pressure. The pope added that he had also spoken with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill Patriarch. Francis also revealed his March conversation with Patriarch Kirill.
“The patriarch looked at the paper in his hand and read the justifications for the war. I said I do not understand this, brother. We are not the priests of the state, we cannot use the language of politics, we must find the way to peace, we must lay down our arms, ”he added.
Story Highlights: Pope Francis offers to meet Putin to try to end Ukraine war
