Russian prelate blames Vatican for cancellation of Pope-Patriarch summit (Crux)

Metropolitan Anthony Sevryuk of Volokolamsk told journalists that the Vatican called off plans for a meeting between Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, but voiced hope for a future summit.

The Russian prelate spoke to reporters in Kazakhstan, where he said that he had a “very cordial” talk with Pope Francis at the inter-faith conference this week. He said that a future summit meeting between the Pope and the Russian Patriarch “must be well prepared.”

Metropolitan Anthony also criticized the Pope’s remark that Patriarch Kirill should not become an “altar boy” for the Russian government. That remark was “not useful for Christian unity,” he said.