The Meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, and Its Political Significance for Ukraine and Russia
The Meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, and Its Political Significance for Ukraine and Russia
Author(s): Anna Maria Dyner
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Comparative Studies of Religion, Sociology of Religion
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: religion; Eastern Europe; Europe; Russia; society
Summary/Abstract: The meeting between the Pope and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, which took place on 12 February in Havana, has a special religious and political meaning. Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill signed a joint statement in which they referred, among other things, to current events in the world, mainly to conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the migration crisis and the persecution of Christians. The points concerning the political situation in Ukraine and hopes for the unification of the factions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were considered controversial, and were interpreted as support of the Catholic Church for Russian policy in Ukraine. However, the declaration should be used by the Holy See to facilitate the functioning of the Catholic Church, in Russia as well as in Crimea and Donbas.
Series: PISM Bulletin
- Page Count: 2
- Publication Year: 2016
- Language: English
- Content File-PDF