VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis had hoped his trip to Kazakhstan this week would offer a chance to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church who has justified the war in Ukraine and plead for peace. Patriarch Kirill bowed out a few weeks ago, but Francis is going ahead with the trip that is nevertheless being overshadowed by Russia’s seven-month war.
Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan this week to participate in a conference of world religious leaders, with Russia s war in Ukraine clouding the visit
Like John Paul II, Pope Francis Heads to Kazakhstan During Time of War thetablet.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thetablet.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan this week to participate in a conference of world religious leaders, with Russia's war in Ukraine clouding the visit. He had hoped his trip would offer a chance to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has justified the war. But Patriarch Kirill bowed out a few weeks ago. In a way, Kirill’s absence will make life easier for all involved, especially Kazakhstan, which won’t have its showcase gathering overshadowed by a headline-grabbing photo op between the pope and the patriarch.