VATICAN (SE): Pope Leo XIV and Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin spoke by phone on the afternoon of June 4, Vatican News reported.
Focusing on the war in Ukraine, they discussed the humanitarian situation, as well as the need to facilitate aid where necessary, according to Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office.
“The pope made an appeal for Russia to take a gesture that would favour peace, emphasising the importance of dialogue to create positive contacts between the parties and seek solutions to the conflict,” said a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
Pope Leo and Putin also discussed the ongoing efforts at prisoner exchanges and the value of the work that Matteo Maria Cardinal Zuppi of of Bologna, has been doing in this regard.
“Pope Leo made reference to Patriarch Kirill, thanking him for the congratulations received at the beginning of his pontificate, and underlined how shared Christian values can be a light that helps to seek peace, defend life, and pursue genuine religious freedom,” Bruni said.Criminal Court has so far issued six arrest warrants for Russian officials, including Putin, for war crimes.
