The Russian Orthodox Church noted the role of the Pope in the contacts of the Catholic Church with the Orthodox

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has extensive experience in interacting with the Catholic Church during the pontificate of the late Pope Francis. Father Stefan (Igumnov), secretary of the Moscow Patriarchate's Department for External Church Relations for Inter-Christian Relations, told Izvestia about this on April 21.

According to him, a special page in this cooperation was opened by the historic meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Cuba in February 2016.

"Many issues related to humanitarian cooperation, peacemaking, and a joint response to the challenges facing the entire Christian world today were on the current agenda of cooperation," Father Stefan noted.

Saint from the slums: Pope Francis has died

The first pontiff of South American origin traveled to his parish by subway

The death of Pope Francis at the age of 89 at his residence in the Vatican's Santa Marta House became known earlier on April 21. The last time he appeared in public was on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica during Easter celebrations the day before. The pontiff has been struggling with bilateral pneumonia for a long time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a telegram of condolences on the occasion of the Pope's death. The Pontiff played an important role in the development of contacts between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, the head of state emphasized.