Pope of Rome Francis and Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolmsk discuss restoration of Syrian churches

Situations in Ukraine and Middle East became basic topics of the meeting between the head of Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Affairs Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk and Pope Francis of Rome, TASS reports.

The Orthodox Church representative has underlined that after the antiterrorist military operation in Syria is over, it is necessary to restore the relics and churches there destroyed by terrorists. A lot should be done to help the refuges who left their homes come back.

According to Hilarion, humanitarian aid campaign may unify catholic and orthodox Christians. He has noted that joint works have already started. In particular, representatives of both confessions work over a complete list of destroyed temples and monasteries.

Talking over Ukraine, Metropolitan Hilarion told Pope of Rome that Verkhovna Rada was offered three law drafts. In case they are approved, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate will be discriminated. Metropolitan has stressed that these documents would declare Ukrainian Orthodox Church as foreign religious organization and its activities would have to be approved by the government.

Metropolitan Hilarion and Pope Francis touched upon other questions of mutual interest. In particular, cultural and students’ exchanges.

Russkiy Mir