Pope Francis met deputy leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Antonij, at the Vatican late last week. The meeting was part of ongoing ecumenical contacts between the Papacy and the Patriarchate of Moscow. It followed a video call between Pope Francis and Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in March, shortly after the war in Ukraine began.
The recent removal of Hilarion and appointment of Antonij may point to disagreement with the Russian Orthodox Church about the war, disunity the Vatican may be able to capitalise on as outreach continues. After all, the recent meeting came as Pope Francis prepares to travel to Kazakhstan next month for the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
