DECR MP Chairman discusses ROC-Vatican joint projects with Pope Francis

Metropolitan Hilarion and Pope Francis meeting on February 13, 2020. Photo: mospat.ru

On October 6, 2021, in the Vatican, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations (DECR) of the Moscow Patriarchate, met with Pope Francis, according to the official website of the DECR MP.

The meeting took place in the building of the Audience Hall, during which bilateral cooperation between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Vatican was discussed. “The active cooperation makes it possible to implement a considerable number of joint projects concerning the aid to persecuted Christians, defence of traditional values, social service in areas of education and culture.,” the DECR MP reports.

Metropolitan Hilarion conveyed greetings from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus to the head of the Roman Catholics, who in response expressed his joy at the opportunity to meet and discuss current issues concerning the relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. At the end of the meeting, Pope Francis and Metropolitan Hilarion exchanged memorable gifts.

As reported by the UOJ, the Chairman of the DECR MP spoke about the meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew and the Pope.

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