Search
00
GBAF Logo
trophy
Top StoriesInterviewsBusinessFinanceBankingTechnologyInvestingTradingVideosAwardsMagazinesHeadlinesTrends

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest news and updates from our team.

Global Banking & Finance Review®

Global Banking & Finance Review® - Subscribe to our newsletter

Company

    GBAF Logo
    • About Us
    • Profile
    • Privacy & Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising
    • Submit Post
    • Latest News
    • Research Reports
    • Press Release
    • Awards▾
      • About the Awards
      • Awards TimeTable
      • Submit Nominations
      • Testimonials
      • Media Room
      • Award Winners
      • FAQ
    • Magazines▾
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 79
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 78
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 77
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 76
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 75
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 73
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 71
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 70
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 69
      • Global Banking & Finance Review Magazine Issue 66
    Top StoriesInterviewsBusinessFinanceBankingTechnologyInvestingTradingVideosAwardsMagazinesHeadlinesTrends

    Global Banking & Finance Review® is a leading financial portal and online magazine offering News, Analysis, Opinion, Reviews, Interviews & Videos from the world of Banking, Finance, Business, Trading, Technology, Investing, Brokerage, Foreign Exchange, Tax & Legal, Islamic Finance, Asset & Wealth Management.
    Copyright © 2010-2026 GBAF Publications Ltd - All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap | Tags | Developed By eCorpIT

    Editorial & Advertiser disclosure

    Global Banking & Finance Review® is an online platform offering news, analysis, and opinion on the latest trends, developments, and innovations in the banking and finance industry worldwide. The platform covers a diverse range of topics, including banking, insurance, investment, wealth management, fintech, and regulatory issues. The website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes. It does not reflect the views or opinion of our website and is not to be considered an endorsement or a recommendation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of any information provided with respect to your individual or personal circumstances. Please seek Professional advice from a qualified professional before making any financial decisions. We link to various third-party websites, affiliate sales networks, and to our advertising partners websites. When you view or click on certain links available on our articles, our partners may compensate us for displaying the content to you or make a purchase or fill a form. This will not incur any additional charges to you. To make things simpler for you to identity or distinguish advertised or sponsored articles or links, you may consider all articles or links hosted on our site as a commercial article placement. We will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result of any omission or inaccuracy on the website.

    Home > Headlines > Russian patriarch, criticised by Pope Francis, sends warm message to Leo
    Headlines

    Russian patriarch, criticised by Pope Francis, sends warm message to Leo

    Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

    Posted on May 9, 2025

    2 min read

    Last updated: January 23, 2026

    Russian patriarch, criticised by Pope Francis, sends warm message to Leo - Headlines news and analysis from Global Banking & Finance Review
    Why waste money on news and opinion when you can access them for free?

    Take advantage of our newsletter subscription and stay informed on the go!

    Subscribe

    Quick Summary

    Patriarch Kirill sends a warm message to new Pope Leo, highlighting the importance of Christian East-West relations, despite past criticisms from Pope Francis.

    Patriarch Kirill's Message to Pope Leo Amid Past Criticisms

    MOSCOW (Reuters) - Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, sent a message of congratulations on Friday to Pope Leo, whose predecessor Pope Francis had criticised Kirill's backing for Russia's war in Ukraine.

    "You are beginning your ministry as the Primate of the Roman Catholic Church at a special historical moment, associated with a number of civilisational challenges as well as with certain signs of hope," Kirill wrote to Leo, elected by a college of cardinals on Thursday to serve as the first pope from the United States.

    "In this context, the relationship between the Christian East and West is of particular importance for the fate of the world."

    Kirill did not say what he meant by "signs of hope", although he may have been referring to U.S.-led efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

    The Russian Orthodox Church has been a powerful ally of President Vladimir Putin, giving its blessing to the war and supporting his campaign to uphold what he calls traditional values in Russian society, in contrast to perceived Western decadence.

    In 2022, the Russian church scolded Pope Francis for using the wrong tone after he urged Patriarch Kirill not to become the Kremlin's "altar boy", saying such remarks would hurt dialogue between the two churches.

    In his message to Leo, however, Kirill held open the possibility of building bridges.

    "I sincerely hope that with your participation, the relations between our churches will progressively develop for a joint witness to Christ and the manifestation to humanity of the enduring beauty of life based on the commandments of God," he said.

    (Reporting by Reuters, writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by Alex Richardson)

    Key Takeaways

    • •Patriarch Kirill congratulates Pope Leo despite past tensions.
    • •Pope Francis previously criticized Kirill's stance on Ukraine.
    • •Kirill emphasizes the importance of East-West Christian relations.
    • •The Russian Church supports Putin's traditional values campaign.
    • •Kirill expresses hope for improved church relations.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Russian patriarch, criticised by Pope Francis, sends warm message to Leo

    1What is the main topic?

    The article discusses Patriarch Kirill's message to Pope Leo amid past criticisms from Pope Francis regarding the Ukraine war.

    2What was Pope Francis's criticism?

    Pope Francis criticized Patriarch Kirill for supporting Russia's war in Ukraine and urged him not to become the Kremlin's 'altar boy'.

    3What is Kirill's hope for the future?

    Kirill hopes for improved relations between the Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.

    More from Headlines

    Explore more articles in the Headlines category

    Image for If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region
    If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region
    Image for Suspected arson hits Italian rail network near Bologna, police say
    Suspected arson hits Italian rail network near Bologna, police say
    Image for Olympics-Protesters to rally in Milan denouncing impact of Winter Games
    Olympics-Protesters to rally in Milan denouncing impact of Winter Games
    Image for Olympics-Biathlon-Winter Games bring tourism boost to biathlon hotbed of northern Italy
    Olympics-Biathlon-Winter Games bring tourism boost to biathlon hotbed of northern Italy
    Image for US pushes Russia and Ukraine to end war by summer, Zelenskiy says
    US pushes Russia and Ukraine to end war by summer, Zelenskiy says
    Image for Russia to interrogate two suspects over attempted killing of general, report says
    Russia to interrogate two suspects over attempted killing of general, report says
    Image for Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine's energy system, Zelenskiy says
    Russia launches massive attack on Ukraine's energy system, Zelenskiy says
    Image for Ukraine backs Pope's call for Olympic truce in war with Russia
    Ukraine backs Pope's call for Olympic truce in war with Russia
    Image for Russia launched 400 drones, 40 missiles to hit Ukraine's energy sector, Zelenskiy says
    Russia launched 400 drones, 40 missiles to hit Ukraine's energy sector, Zelenskiy says
    Image for The Kyiv family, with its pets and pigs, defying Russia and the cold
    The Kyiv family, with its pets and pigs, defying Russia and the cold
    Image for Not Italy's Devil's Island: Sardinia bristles at mafia inmate plan
    Not Italy's Devil's Island: Sardinia bristles at mafia inmate plan
    Image for Two Polish airports reopen after NATO jets activated over Russian strikes on Ukraine
    Two Polish airports reopen after NATO jets activated over Russian strikes on Ukraine
    View All Headlines Posts
    Previous Headlines PostUniCredit board members seek M&A clarity after setbacks, sources say
    Next Headlines PostItaly's Benetton Group trims losses in 2024 amid restructuring plan