Russia
The Latest
Putin visits Pope Francis on July 4th
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis at the Vatican July 4 for a 55-minute private discussion about international... Read more
Orthodox Patriarch commits to independent Ukrainian Church, snubs Moscow
The announcement, released Oct. 11, also removed the traditional right of the Russian Patriarch to ordain the Metropolitan of Kyiv,... Read more
Russians hacked Catholic, Orthodox clergy amid Ukrainian push for autocephaly
Russian hackers infiltrated the email inboxes of Orthodox, Catholic, and other religious leaders connected to Ukraine amid conflict between Kyiv... Read more
Archbishop: Russian invasion of Ukraine is a ‘silent war’
Speaking at the end of a closed-door meeting on religious freedom at the US Embassy to the Holy See, Major... Read more
Commentary: Religious Persecution in the Occupied Territories of Eastern Ukraine
War continues to ravage eastern Ukraine, where conflict erupted in April 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the violent... Read more
Cardinal calls for consecration of Mexico to Immaculate Heart of Mary
Facing violence, poverty and corruption, Mexico should be consecrated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, said Archbishop Emeritus Juan Sandoval... Read more
Parolin, Kirill: we have reached a 'new stage' in Church relations
After a joint meeting during Cardinal Pietro Parolin's visit to Russia this week, both he and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill... Read more
Parolin in Russia: Vatican diplomacy has a key role in global debate
As he arrived to Russia for his official three-day visit, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Holy... Read more
Why Russia's new ban on Jehovah's Witnesses is so troubling
The Jehovah's Witnesses have been banned as an extremist group in a Thursday Supreme Court decision that observers feared signaled... Read more
Archbishop laments 'curse of terrorism' after St. Petersburg attack
Archbishop Paolo Pezzi of Moscow offered his prayers and condolences following a deadly explosion in the St. Petersburg metro on... Read more
As Ukraine conflict continues, Christians seek unity and peace
To overcome conflicts, to fight hatred with goodness, to make Ukraine a free and European country: these are the tasks... Read more
New religious laws in Russia not expected to hurt Catholic Church
Last week, despite protests from religious leaders and human rights groups, Russian president Vladimir Putin approved a new set of... Read more
Ukraine crisis the focal point in Pope's discussion with Putin
In the second meeting between Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin, held on Wednesday at the Vatican, the discussion... Read more
Power of prayer: Contemplative cloisters coming to Crimea?
It’s been one year since fighting broke out in Ukraine. The death toll has surpassed 6,000. Almost 1 million people... Read more
Faith in the time of annexation: A tough choice for Crimea's Church
Since Russia's annexation of Crimea in March, religious groups there – aside from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) –... Read more
Cardinal Dolan: Ukraine 'flowing with blood,' America must speak up
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York has urged U.S. Catholics to listen to the “chilling” pleas of Greek-Catholic bishops who... Read more
Catholics in Ukrainian border diocese face suffering, uncertainty
For Catholics in the southeast Ukrainian Diocese of Odessa-Simferopol, ongoing Russian control of Crimea has created serious challenges and “incredible... Read more
Russian prison chaplain witnesses stories of conversion, hope
Despite its challenges, prison ministry in the Russian Federation is an important apostolate, changing lives and leading to conversions, a... Read more
Pope Francis' meeting with Putin zeros in on Middle East
Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin's first-ever meeting this week mostly focused on the Middle East, particularly on the... Read more
Pope Francis to meet with Vladimir Putin
Pope Francis will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Nov. 25 at the Vatican, according to the director of... Read more
