Vatican City: TASS on Monday posted a video of President Vladimir Putin meeting Pope Francis after the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff’s death. The Russian news agency highlighted the history of their meetings, noting that the two leaders met in person three times during the Russian president’s visits to the Holy See in 2013, 2015, and 2019. They also maintained contact through phone conversations, the last of which occurred in December 2021.
According to Ansa News Agency, every March, President Putin sent his congratulations to Pope Francis on the anniversary of his election to the throne of St. Peter. Additionally, every December, the Vatican received messages from the Russian leader on the occasion of New Year and Christmas. These gestures underscore the ongoing diplomatic ties and mutual respect between the Vatican and Russia during Pope Francis’s tenure.
