The Pope says he has “love for the Russian and Ukrainian peoples”

Pope Francis confessed his love for Ukrainians and Russians, reports vaticannews.va.

“I have high esteem for the Russian people, for Russian humanism. Just think of Dostoevsky, who to this day inspires us, inspires Christians to think of Christianity,” Pope Francis said during a press conference on board the plane on his way to Rome after his apostolic trip to Bahrain.

“I am in midst of two peoples that I love,” said the pontiff.

Also, the Pope siad he is "tormented by the cruelty" during the hostilities of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and stated that, in his opinion, "cruelty is not of the Russian people," and called Russians "a great people."

As the UOJ reported, the Pope announced his readiness to hold talks in the Vatican between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to resolve conflicts.

Read also

Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”

The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.

Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size

The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.

Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence

Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.

During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence

Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”

Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople

A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.

OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud

In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.