Pope wants to meet Patriarch Kirill in Jerusalem

The Vatican is preparing a meeting between Pope Francis and the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill. The two will possibly speak to each other in mid-June in Jerusalem.

The meeting will occur after lengthy negotiations between Rome and Moscow, the Nederlands Dagblad reports.

The first and last meeting of the two ecclesiastical leaders took place in February 2016. However, Patriarch Kirill has been reluctant to agree to a second conversation since that time. The Russian Orthodox Church often condemns other Christian denominations as heretical and avoids contact.

However, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Orthodox Church and its Patriarch have become increasingly isolated, Nederlands Dagblad writes. The reason for this is their support for Russia's military actions. Russia's isolation, however, seems to have changed the tide: Kirill appears to have become interested in a meeting with Pope Francis.

The meeting can only take place in a country that does not belong to the Russian patriarchate, Kirill required. The Patriarch is afraid that a meeting in his patriarchate would be interpreted as Vatican dominance.

According to press agency Reuters, Jerusalem would be a real possibility for the two to meet. Pope Francis would be able to travel there easily, as he has planned a visit to Lebanon in June.

Despite the plans for a possible meeting, Kirill does not change his attitude on the Russian invasion. On Sunday, he prayed for the unification of the Russians around their authorities. In addition, he has said that Russian soldiers should fulfil their military oath loyally and defend their country.

On the other hand, Pope Francis has condemned the Russian actions in Ukraine, calling it a brutal war. Furthermore, the Pope called for peace around the time of Easter.