Unic Press UK: Last Thursday, the Russian President Vladimir Putin was the guest of the Catholic Pontiff and Bishop of Rome Pope Francis. Thursday’s audience, in which the Russian leader was received in the Apostolic Palace, is President Putin’s sixth visit to the Vatican, his third with Pope Francis, the Vatican News reported.
The two world leaders discussed a range of issues of bilateral concern; and held talks on current international affairs, with reference to Ukraine, Syria, and Venezuela. Further excerpts of the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting reads: “During the cordial discussions, both Parties expressed their satisfaction at the development of bilateral relations, further strengthened by the protocol of understanding signed today regarding the collaboration between the “Bambino Gesù” Paediatric Hospital and the paediatric hospitals of the Russian Federation”.
Pope, Putin met for the first time in 2013, shortly after Pope Francis’ election as Catholic pontiff. They also met in 2015.
