Pope Francis on March 16 spoke with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, a backer of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. According to the Vatican, Francis rejected justifications for the invasion as a "holy war."
Improved religious education and a stronger sense of belonging to a community were some of the topics touched upon as the Synod of Bishops moved into its final round of speeches.
After Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, ended his official trip to Russia, there are signs that not everyone is satisfied with the tone of the four-day visit or confident about its benefits for Catholics.
