Nikas Safronov told Izvestia about his audience with the Pope

The Pope called Nikas Safronov an outstanding Russian artist and held an audience with him. The painter told Izvestia on February 11.

"[The Pope] has a very warm attitude towards Russia, which was extremely pleasant and important for me. The audience was about 15-20 minutes <...> maybe even longer. He knows Dostoevsky, he knows Pushkin, he knows Russian culture, Tchaikovsky <...> This is a man who knows Russia, and knows it firsthand, otherwise all his apartments, all his halls would not be decorated with Russian artists" - shared Safronov.

According to the artist, the walls of the pontiff are decorated with the works of Russian classical artists, primarily of the XIX century. Safronov also invited the Pope to his exhibition and asked him to consecrate it, to which Francis agreed.

"A small step of mine in this matter, like the exhibition, is a big step for our state, for our country, for rapprochement with Europe. Because if already the Pope accepts, the others say yes," Safronov concluded.

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In October 2024, it was reported that the star of the TV series "Magnificent Century" Burak Ozcivit visited Safronov's exhibition in St. Petersburg. The painter personally gave the guest a tour of the exhibition in the Peter and Paul Fortress. Safronov's son Luke played for the actor on the piano several songs.