The Pope has cautioned the head of the Russian Orthodox Church against serving as Vladimir Putin’s ‘alter boy’ after Patriarch Kirill gave the Russian invasion of Ukraine is seal of approval.
Kirill, 75, sees the war as a bulwark against a decadent West – particularly over the acceptance of homosexuality – that threatens his vision of a ‘Russky Mir’ (‘Russian World’) that includes Belarus and Ukraine.
‘We (the Pope and Kirill) are pastors of the same people of God. That is why we have to seek paths of peace, to cease the fire of weapons. The patriarch cannot become Putin’s altar boy,’ Francis was quoted as saying.
The 85-year-old pontiff also told Italy’s Corriere Della Sera newspaper that he had communicated to Moscow via Vatican diplomats that he sought a meeting with Putin three weeks into the conflict, but did not receive a response.
Pope Francis previously met Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban two weeks ago and was told by the far-right leader – Putin’s principal ally in the EU – that ‘the Russians have a plan, that everything will end on May 9’, referring to the anniversary of the end of the Soviet Union’s involvement in World War II.
With that date coming early next week, Francis communicated to Putin that he was willing to make the trip to Moscow.
‘Certainly, it was necessary for the Kremlin leader to allow an opening. We have not yet received a response and we are still insisting,’ Francis said.
He added: ‘I fear that Putin cannot, and does not, want to have this meeting at this time. But how can you not stop so much brutality?’
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Source: Daily Mail
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