The Russian Orthodox Church has no plans yet for a meeting between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Leo XIV

The Russian Orthodox Church has no plans to arrange a meeting between Patriarch Kirill and Pope Leo XIV. According to the Russian Orthodox Church, since the last meeting between the Patriarch and the head of the Vatican in 2016, the Russian Orthodox Church has not initiated any contacts at this level. This was stated in an interview with the Italian publication La Repubblica by the head of the ROC’s Department for External Church Relations, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk.

«The meeting [between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia in Havana] in 2016 had a very positive impact on relations between the two Churches and contributed to strengthening personal relations between the Pope and the Patriarch. A second meeting was planned in Jerusalem, as we were convinced that the voices of the leaders of the two major Christian denominations are important in a world engulfed in conflict and controversy, but the Vatican canceled it. Since then, I have repeatedly stated that since it was the Holy See that refused the meeting, we are ready to consider any new proposal. However, since the election of Pope Leo, there has been no such initiative,» — Metropolitan Anthony said.

As previously reported, a meeting between Pope Leo XIV and Metropolitan Anthony (Sevryuk) of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, is scheduled for July 26, 2025. According to sources, the meeting will take place in the Vatican.