During the ongoing war in Ukraine, Pope Francis has continued to appeal for peace. Recently, he welcomed Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Antonij of Volokolamsk to the Vatican, as reported by the Holy See Press Office.
This visit is the second time Metropolitan Antonij, who heads the Department for External Relations of the Patriarchate of Moscow, has been to the Vatican. His previous visit was on 5 August 2022, as part of the ongoing ecumenical dialogue between the Pope and the Patriarchate of Moscow.
Prior to this meeting, Pope Francis had a video conference with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on 16 March, where he called on all Christians and Christian leaders to work towards peace.
Both Pope Francis and Metropolitan Antonij also attended the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan in September 2022.
Source and photo: vaticannews.va