Vladimir Putin met with Pope: how late is the president this time

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis in the Vatican. This is their third meeting. As in past times, Putin was late.

Photo by: kremlin.ru

The conversation between Putin and the pope lasted about an hour - as provided for in the protocol of the pontiff’s meetings with foreign guests. At the end of the meeting, Pope Francis presented Putin with an engraving with a view of St. Peter's Square from the 18th century, so that the Russian president “would not forget Rome,” writes Air force.

Putin, in turn, presented the pontiff with an icon with the apostles Peter and Paul and a disc with the film “Sin” by Andrei Konchalovsky. “This is a very good film,” said the Russian president (the film is dedicated to the life of the sculptor and artist Michelangelo Buonarroti).

After a conversation with the Pope, Putin will have a meeting with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (already outside the protocol).

Photo by: kremlin.ru

What was discussed

The conversation between Putin and the Pope was held behind closed doors. At the end of its statements to the press was made.

The press service of the Holy See after the meeting reported that Pope Francis had discussed pressing international problems with the Russian leader, focusing on the situation in Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Photo by: kremlin.ru

The same topics on the eve of the meeting were called by the Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov.

He also said that Russia and the Vatican approach “from close or almost identical positions” on issues such as the fight against terrorism and religious extremism, the prevention of economic and man-made disasters and the protection of Christians in conflict zones.

Photo by: kremlin.ru

In addition, Ushakov said, after the historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Havana in 2016, relations between the two churches “acquired a new level.”

However, the issue of the pope’s visit to Russia was not planned to be raised at the negotiations. “As I believe, this question will not be raised either on our part or on the part of the Vatican,” said the aide to the Russian president.

No modern pontiff has yet visited Russia. In early June, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk said that Orthodox priests and believers are not yet ready to accept the pope. “We prefer to go gradually, without sudden steps,” he said.

Putin is late again

On Thursday, Putin arrived at the papal palace with about half an hour late, his conversation with Pope Francis began on 45 minutes later than scheduled, Interfax reports.

On the subject: Putin's tardiness: who and how long the head of Russia forced himself to wait

Reuters writes that Putin was late for a whole hour.

Photo by: kremlin.ru

Earlier, Putin had twice visited the Vatican to meet with the pontiff, and was late both times.

For the first time, in November 2013, Putin arrived at a meeting with his dad on 50 minutes later than planned. And in June, the 2015 of the Russian leader was more than an hour late, media reported.

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