The pope’s death on April 21 coincided with the expiration of the Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine.
While Moscow resumed hostilities right after the end of the ceasefire, Vladimir Putin took the time to pay tribute to the late pope.
In a telegram released by the Kremlin, Putin expressed his “deepest condolences” over the death of Pope Francis.
The Russian president commended the pope’s role in actively “sponsoring dialogue”” between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as with the Kremlin itself.
Putin and Pope Bergoglio met three times in person, the last time in 2021. According to Russian media, Putin called Francis every March to mark his ascension to the papacy, despite the fact that the pope openly denounced the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Putin also said in the telegram that he will “forever preserve the brightest memory” of the pontiff.
The Russian Orthodox Church said it would send a “high-ranking delegation” to the Vatican for the funeral.https://www.npr.org/2025/04/21/g-s1-61604/putin-mourns-the-pope-with-whom-he-had-a-strained-relationship
Voldymyr Zelensky also paid homage to Pope Francis on social media.
The Ukrainian president said on X „Millions of people around the world are mourning the tragic news of Pope Francis’s passing … He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity. He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians. We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support.”
