**Pope Leo Meets with Russian Orthodox Church Official to Discuss Ukraine War**
In a move that could help ease tensions between the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, Pope Leo met with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk at the Vatican on Saturday. The meeting was seen as an attempt to discuss ways to improve relations between the two churches, which have been strained by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
During their conversation, the two men reportedly discussed several issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East. This is not the first time Pope Leo has reached out to the Russian Orthodox Church since taking office in May. He has repeatedly called for peace in global conflicts and even offered to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
However, Russian officials have been hesitant to take up this offer, citing concerns that the Vatican’s location in Italy – a NATO member country that has supported Ukraine – makes it an unsuitable venue for negotiations. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has been a vocal supporter of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Despite these challenges, Pope Leo expressed his gratitude to Patriarch Kirill for his congratulations on his election as pope and noted the importance of developing relations with the Russian Orthodox Church. This move is seen as a significant step towards improving ties between the two churches, which have been strained by their differing views on Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
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