Russian President Vladimir Putin paid tribute to Pope Francis in a message addressed to Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, the Camerlengo (administrator) of the Vatican, the interim head of the Catholic Church until the election of a new pope.
Russian President Vladimir Putin „will forever cherish the brightest memory” of Pope Francis, the Kremlin conveyed, according to CNN.
Putin expressed his "deepest condolences" and described Pope Francis as "a faithful servant of Christian doctrine, a wise religious and statesman, and a consistent defender of the lofty values of humanism and justice," in a message published on Monday by the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin "will forever cherish the brightest memory" of Pope Francis, the Kremlin conveyed.
Putin also mentioned Francis's role in fostering dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church and in strengthening the ties between Russia and the Holy See.
"I have had the opportunity to communicate with this remarkable person many times, and I will forever cherish the brightest memory of him," Putin said.
At the same time, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov mentioned in a press conference on Monday that Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis had met many times and "had great respect for each other."
The Kremlin's reaction came after Russia resumed massive attacks on Ukraine following the Easter ceasefire ordered by Putin.
T.D.