By: Betty Clermont

Betty Clermont — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 08:51:00 +0000

Pope took BIG STEPS for Vatican-Russian ties.The pontiff held a peace rally for Syria only after Obama proposed a limited air strike to deter the further use of chemical weapons against civilians. Putin credited Pope Francis “for stopping the military action” and “with being decisive in halting the momentum with the G8 towards supporting the initiative.”
Putin certainly regarded [Obama’s failure in Syria] as a major victory. He immediately began to flex Moscow’s muscles in Ukraine, directing his ally there to abandon a proposed agreement with the European Union in favor of an alliance with Russia and Belarus,” according to Fr. Raymond J. de Souza,
The meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Havana would benefit Putin. For Putin, “the meeting was important to reduce Russia’s isolation amid western sanctions over Ukraine and criticism for its Syria bombing campaign,” according to Edward Pentin. The Economist: “Did the Pope just kiss Putin’s ring?”Russia wants its people to believe that Western republics are not as hostile as their leaders. Pope Francis just helped. [The meeting] is a diplomatic victory for Putin [and] helped to underscore Russia’s renewed standing as a global power…
As regards Eastern Europe, Pope Francis “has always involved Vladimir Putin in trying to negotiate solutions … since the very first days of the pontificate,” noted Vatican reporter, Andrea Tornielli.
Pope Francis has met Putin twice at the Vatican in November 2013 and June 2015.

By: cegr76

cegr76 — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 20:10:00 +0000

You call those questions the markings of a curious child. They’re also the markings of a skilled pastor.

Comments on: Pope calls space, takes small step for Vatican-Russian ties

By: Betty Clermont

By: cegr76