Putin Praises Pope Francis After His Death, Despite Past War Clashes | Calls Him ‘A Great Man’

Russian President Vladimir Putin offered heartfelt condolences after the death of Pope Francis, calling him “a great man” and praising his efforts to build bridges with the Orthodox Church.

Despite tensions over the Ukraine war and past criticisms—like the Pope warning Patriarch Kirill not to become “Putin’s altar boy”—Putin acknowledged Francis’ role in fostering dialogue and peace.

The two leaders met three times and shared a complex relationship shaped by faith and geopolitics.

The Russian Orthodox Church will send a high-ranking delegation to the funeral.

#PopeFrancis #Putin #RussiaVatican #OrthodoxChurch #UkraineWar #CatholicChurch #ReligiousDiplomacy #VaticanNews #PutinStatement #PopeDeath #FuneralNews #GlobalPolitics #PopeLegacy #ChurchAndState #PatriarchKirill #ChristianUnity #PopePutin #FaithAndWar #PopeFrancisQuotes #PopeFrancisDeath #RussiaNews Also Read Putin Declares 'Easter Truce' In Russia-Ukraine War Amid US Proposal, Ceasefire To Stay Till Sunday Midnight :: https://www.oneindia.com/international/putin-declares-easter-truce-in-russia-ukraine-war-amid-us-proposal-to-stay-untill-sunday-midnight-4128473.html?ref=DMDesc Trump Blames Putin & Zelenskyy as He Seeks to End Ukraine War :: https://www.oneindia.com/international/trump-blames-putin-zelenskyy-as-he-seeks-to-end-ukraine-war-4109951.html?ref=DMDesc Trump, Putin Speak For More Than Hour As US Seeks Russian Sign-Off On Plan To End Ukraine War :: https://www.oneindia.com/international/trump-putin-speak-for-more-than-hour-as-us-seeks-russian-sign-off-on-plan-to-end-ukraine-war-4098479.html?ref=DMDesc ~ED.194~HT.410~