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Pope Francis’ words about talks with Patriarch Kirill cause regret, confusion — spokesman

The two spiritual leaders had a conversation via video conference on March 16

MOSCOW, May 4. /TASS/. Pope Francis’ remarks, made in the interview for Corriere della Sera, regarding his conversation with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow are built on interpretations that cause regret and confusion, says Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Russian Orthodox Church’s public and media relations office.

"It is highly regrettable that the interpretation of the March 16, 2022, conversation between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow that appeared recently presents this conversation in a new light, which does not fully correspond to the content and nature of the talks. It is obvious that the March 16 contact introduced a peacekeeping note to the discussion of the situation in Ukraine, as was reflected by official press releases, published by both sides after the conversation. However, the mentioned interview is built on interpretations that cause regrets and confusion," Legoyda said in his Telegram channel.

The two spiritual leaders had a conversation via video conference on March 16. In his interview for Corriere della Sera, Pope Francis said that Patriarch Kirill "read to him from a paper he was holding in his hand" "all justifications for [the beginning] of the war" in Ukraine. According to the Pope, he noted in response that spiritual leaders are "not officials" and "cannot use the language of war."

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Patriarch Kirill Pope Francis Religion

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