Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, listens to Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during their talks at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Putin welcomed a dialogue between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed ongoing dialogue between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church.
Putin said at Wednesday's meeting with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, that "universal humanitarian values" form the basis for Russia's ties with the Vatican, as well as relations between the two churches.
Putin thanked the Holy See for sending St. Nicholas relics on loan to Russia this summer. He also hailed a Moscow exhibition of paintings from the Vatican Museums and said that Russia will reciprocate with a Russian art exhibition in the Vatican next year.
Parolin's meeting with Putin in Sochi follows his talks with Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill. Kirill met with Pope Francis in Cuba in February 2016, the first encounter between the leaders of the two churches.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin prior to their talks at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin smiles as he listens to Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin during their talks at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Putin welcomed a dialogue between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, right, attend the talks at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017. Putin welcomed a dialogue between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church. (Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press