The Metropolitan of Volokolamsk, His Grace Hilarion, this week referred to the possibility of an official visit to the country by the Roman Catholic Pope.
Hilarion, who is also the chairman of the Russian Church’s department of external relations and a permanent member of its Holy Synod, spoke during an interview to a Swiss news agency, as part of his visit to the country.
The Russian bishop clarified that, at present, there are no conditions set for such a visit, adding
“… This is not on the agenda of our bilateral relations. In our Church, many bishops, clerics and lay people are not ready for such a visit. We do not want our relations to be hurt by such sentiments. We prefer to gradually move ahead, without abrupt steps.”
Photo: mospat.ru