Russian President Vladimir Putin wished Pope Francis a happy 85th birthday on Friday, telling the Catholic leader they could jointly protect Christians.

The comments come after the pope earlier last month said he was ready to travel to Moscow to visit Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russia’s Orthodox Church.

“It is difficult to overestimate your personal contribution to the development of relations between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches and to the strengthening of Russian-Vatican ties,” Putin told Pope Francis, according to a telegram released by the Kremlin.

“I am sure that through joint efforts we can do a lot to protect the rights and interests of Christians, as well as to ensure interfaith dialogue.”

Putin over his more than two decades in power has made the Orthodox Church a key pillar of his rule, casting himself as a safeguarder of traditional values.

The pope in 2016 met Patriarch Kirill in Cuba, the first encounter between the heads of the two largest Christian churches since Christianity split into Western and Eastern branches in the 11th Century — an event known as “The Great Schism.”

Bishop Hilarion, head of the Russian church’s department for external relations, said this month he would meet the pope sometime before the end of the year and that they would discuss a possible future meeting with Kirill.

He said that neither a date nor a location for the meeting had been set.

https://guardian.ng/news/putin-tells-pope-they-can-jointly-protect-christians/

Lalasticlala, Mynd44

In 2016, pope Francis hailed Putin has the only man he knows would still defend Christianity
Seems he no longer trusts the U.S. With their LGBTQ+ and other taboos. As do I

This man that likes war ... Abeg ooooh no protect us anything before you use your bomb and missiles and scatter everywhere.

Deborah98:
This man that likes war ... Abeg ooooh no protect us anything before you use your bomb and missiles and scatter everywhere.

How many wars has he started since taking charge of Russia since 20+ years now? Near zero!
Compare the stat to other US president who you believe don't like war.

Deborah98:
This man that likes war ... Abeg ooooh no protect us anything before you use your bomb and missiles and scatter everywhere.

Which war has he started?
That’s how you people will be typing nonsense here

Conspiracy theorists seems Putin is the new antichrist, no more Obama

Emir of Ilorin will protect Ibo Muslims.

No mortal can protect Christians but God Almighty through his son, Lord Jesus Christ.

No this, no peace.

Jesus is coming soon.

Putin is but a mere man just as the pope. Thank God he said interfaith dialogue, meaning he knows that Catholic and Christianity are two different faiths entirely.