Russian President Vladmir Putin meets with Pope John Paul (news - web sites) II at the Vatican (news - web sites), Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003. At center is the icon of Mother of God of Kazan, which is revered by Russian believers.
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope John Paul II met with Russian President Vladimir Putin today and made a gesture in hopes of improving relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, but the Kremlin leader did not invite him to Russia in return.
John Paul has made improving relations with the Orthodox Church a priority of his 25-year papacy, but his long-sought dream of visiting Russia has been blocked by the Russian Orthodox Church, which is wary of advances by Roman Catholics since the fall of communism.
In a gesture of reconciliation, John Paul had his aides bring into the Vatical Library meeting an icon revered by Russian believers - the icon of the Mother of God of Kazan - which usually hangs in his private chapel.
Putin watched as the pope blessed the icon and then the Russian leader kissed it, Vatican interpreters said.
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Dr. Alan Cairns | 8/3/2009
