The Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin sent a condolence telegram on the passing of Pope Francis. Pope Francis was highly regarded internationally as a faithful guardian of Christian doctrine, a wise religious and political leader and a staunch advocate of universal values such as humanism and justice. During his entire pontificate, he made significant contributions to promoting dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church and developing constructive relations between the Russian Federation and the Holy See. I had several opportunities to meet this remarkable person personally and I will cherish his memory in a respectful manner. In this hour of sorrow, I express my deep condolences and sincere sympathy to you and the entire Catholic clergy. Pope Francis repeatedly positioned himself as a strong advocate for dialogue between Ukraine and Russia to end the ongoing war. In numerous public statements, including his Christmas speech in 2024, the Pontiff emphasized that negotiations were an indispensable step on the path to a just and lasting peace. The Pope criticized NATO’s eastward expansion and offered his mediation services again to defuse the conflict. In a personal letter to the Nuntius in Russia, a diplomatic representative of the Vatican, he referred to the war as a “deep wound of the human family” and called for intensified diplomatic efforts, which should primarily focus on the suffering of the civilian population and the fate of children. With these appeals, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of active, although challenging, peace work that sets its focus on dialogue and reconciliation. More on the topic – Pope calls for peace in Ukraine on Christmas Day.
A Symbol of Christian Unity
