Pope’s meeting with Putin is a chance to appeal to his conscience with a call for peace, Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki

Yesterday’s meeting of Pope Francis with Russian President Vladimir Putin does not mean of the Holy See policy for Russian policy towards Ukraine.

Instead, it is another chance to achieve peace that cannotbe missed,believes the chairman of the Conference of Roman Catholic Bishops of Ukraine, Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, who has long been the second secretary of Pope John Paul II and is well knowledgeable of Vatican diplomacy.

“The visit of Russian President to the Vatican and his meeting with the Holy Father were important,and here the Pope acts not only as head of the Church, but also as head of state. The openness of the Church at a meeting with leaders of different countries, even those who are at war, are very important. The Holy Father thus always has the opportunity to present his vision of peace, democracy and freedom. I think that every meeting of the Vicar of Christ with any president could have an impact on those who meet with the Holy Father.”