Photo: kremlin.ru
The meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin with Pope Francis has taken place in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Kremlin website reports. The audience was held in the Papal Library, located near the papal chambers. Pope was waiting for Vladimir Putin in the lobby in front of the library. They left for negotiations, accompanied by an interpreter, the conversation was held behind closed doors.
Members of the delegation from Russia were waiting for the end of the conversation in the next room. Among them were Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Assistant of the president Yuri Ushakov, the head of the Ministry of Culture Vladimir Medinsky and Minister of Health Veronika Skvortsova.
The conversation lasted for about an hour. After the negotiations, the ceremony of photographing, as well as the exchange of gifts took place.The Russian leader gave the Pontiff an icon of Peter and Paul, an album about Michelangelo and a disc with Konchalovsky's film called Sin. The Pope presented Vladimir Putin with a commemorative medal made for the anniversary of the First World War and an engraving overlooking St. Peter's Square.
In the presence of the press, Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis refrained from making statements.
Russkiy Mir
reported that the Russian President on Thursday, July 4, went to Italy with an official visit. It was planned that Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis will discuss the situation of Christians in Syria and the conflict in the Donbas. They were also going to touch on the development of the dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and Catholic churches. The Kremlin noted that the dialogue of the churches was an important part of bilateral relations.
Russkiy Mir
