Pope Leo meets Russian Orthodox Church official in Vatican
The pontiff saw Anthony, chairman of the department of external church relations, and five other high-profile clerics during an audience in the morning, the Vatican said in a statement without further elaborating.
Since assuming the papacy in May, Leo has repeatedly appealed for peace in global conflicts and this month told visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that the Vatican was willing to host Russia-Ukraine peace talks.
Russian officials, however, have said they do not view the Vatican as a serious venue for talks because it is surrounded by NATO member Italy which has supported Ukraine.
In his first call with President Vladimir Putin, at the beginning of June, Pope Leo urged Russia to take steps towards ending the conflict.
The head of Russia's Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, has been an enthusiastic backer of the invasion of Ukraine.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Watch as paranoid Putin is escorted by anti-drone rocket launcher on walkabout after fearful despot cancelled ‘Navy Day'
PARANOID Vladimir Putin has been captured on video getting escorted by an anti-drone rocket launcher on a walkabout after the fearful despot cancelled "Navy Day". Unbelievable footage shows a security service operator threateningly holding the drone interceptor in position as the dictator freely strolls around. 10 Footage emerged of a security service operative holding a Yolka drone interceptor Credit: East2West 10 Another Russian agent is seen carrying Vladimir Putin's suspected nuclear briefcase, used to launch an atomic strike on enemies Credit: East2West 10 Footage shows a Yolka drone interceptor in action Credit: East2West 10 It's thought the footage was taken on Victory Day on May 9 The agent appears to be holding a 'fire and forget' Yolka - used to down incoming explosive unmanned planes. A video appears to show the suited secret serviceman clutching the ready-to-use kinetic interceptor that's shielded slightly by a bag. Dictator Putin is meanwhile glad-handing military personnel in the famous Red Square, Moscow, reportedly on Victory Day two months ago. Another agent is even seen carrying Putin's suspected nuclear briefcase - used to launch an atomic strike on enemies. The bizarre security measure has exposed Putin's paranoia as Ukraine continue to bravely fight back against Russian blitzes. Separate footage shows how the hand-released Yolka - a compact, quadcopter-style drone - is used to destroy military drones. The video comes after mad Vlad cancelled the annual Russian naval parade on Sunday last-minute as he feared Ukrainian drone strikes. Instead, more modest events were staged with Putin's involvement. The Kremlin defended the decision had been taken for 'security reasons' amidst the bloody war with Ukraine. Ukraine has managed to destroy over a third of Russia's combat fleets in the Black Sea since Putin's invasion in 2022 as well as eliminating over a million soldiers. Putin strikes Ukraine maternity ward in another outrageous snub to Trump Russia's event is often touted as an opportunity for Putin to show off his military might through a warship parades. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation first announced the cancellation online as they said: "The Kremlin can no longer pretend that the war doesn't affect Russia's home front. "The war impacts all areas of life in Russia, even symbolic and high-profile events like the navy parade. "Today, Russian warships cannot feel safe even on their own territory. "Against this backdrop, the news that Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, will be decommissioned and scrapped is especially telling." Work on the hulking aircraft carrier was suspended earlier this month with reports suggesting the vessel is doomed for the scrapheap. Ukraine has systematically laid waste to Putin's naval forces since 2022 in kamikaze drone and missile attacks. In 2024, Putin's newest and only remaining missile cruiser in the Black Sea was destroyed by Ukraine forces. 10 The interceptor followed Vlad around Credit: East2West 10 The destroyer is pointed at drones Credit: East2West 10 It comes as Putin mysteriously cancelled his annual naval parade at the last-minute Credit: AFP 10 The 'Zyklon' was taken out alongside the 266-M minesweeper, Kovrovets, in a devastating ATACMS missiles strike. Its sinking was part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Last April, Ukraine's Navy said it had struck the salvage ship Kommuna - the oldest ship still serving in the Russian Navy. Ukraine's top brass say they have decimated 34 per cent of the Black Sea Fleet's 184 warships had been disabled. Trump slashes 50-day peace deadline DONALD Trump slashed the 50-day deadline for Vladimir Putin to cut a peace deal down to just the end of next week. Trump slammed the tyrant - who has not taken Trump's peace efforts seriously - saying he was "very disappointed" with him during a press conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland yesterday. The US President said Putin's new deadline had been reduced down to "10 to 12" days from Monday, which would be August 6 to 8. He said: "I'm disappointed in President Putin, very disappointed in him. "So we're going to have to look and I'm going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number." He later clarified saying: "I'm going to make a new deadline of about 10 or 12 days from today. There's no reason in waiting, we just don't see any progress being made." Trump said that the US would do secondary sanctions on Russia - slapping sanctions on those who buy oil from Moscow. But that could all be avoided if Putin cuts a peace deal - which Trump thinks could still happen. 10 A Russian rocket boat and other warships float past drawbridges above the Neva River ahead of the 2022 parade Credit: AP
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Watch as paranoid Putin is escorted by anti-drone rocket launcher on walkabout after fearful despot cancelled ‘Navy Day'
PARANOID Vladimir Putin has been captured on video getting escorted by an anti-drone rocket launcher on a walkabout after the fearful despot cancelled "Navy Day". Unbelievable footage shows a security service operator threateningly holding the drone interceptor in position as the dictator freely strolls around. 10 10 10 The agent appears to be holding a 'fire and forget' Yolka - used to down incoming explosive unmanned planes. A video appears to show the suited secret serviceman clutching the ready-to-use kinetic interceptor that's shielded slightly by a bag. Dictator Putin is meanwhile glad-handing military personnel in the famous Red Square, Moscow, reportedly on Victory Day two months ago. Another agent is even seen carrying Putin's suspected nuclear briefcase - used to launch an atomic strike on enemies. The bizarre security measure has exposed Putin's paranoia as Ukraine continue to bravely fight back against Russian blitzes. Separate footage shows how the hand-released Yolka - a compact, quadcopter-style drone - is used to destroy military drones. The video comes after mad Vlad cancelled the annual Russian naval parade on Sunday last-minute as he feared Ukrainian drone strikes. Instead, more modest events were staged with Putin's involvement. The Kremlin defended the decision had been taken for 'security reasons' amidst the bloody war with Ukraine. Ukraine has managed to destroy over a third of Russia's combat fleets in the Black Sea since Putin's invasion in 2022 as well as eliminating over a million soldiers. Russia's event is often touted as an opportunity for Putin to show off his military might through a warship parades. The Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation first announced the cancellation online as they said: "The Kremlin can no longer pretend that the war doesn't affect Russia's home front. "The war impacts all areas of life in Russia, even symbolic and high-profile events like the navy parade. "Today, Russian warships cannot feel safe even on their own territory. "Against this backdrop, the news that Russia's only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, will be decommissioned and scrapped is especially telling." Work on the hulking aircraft carrier was suspended earlier this month with reports suggesting the vessel is doomed for the scrapheap. Ukraine has systematically laid waste to Putin's naval forces since 2022 in kamikaze drone and missile attacks. In 2024, Putin's newest and only remaining missile cruiser in the Black Sea was destroyed by Ukraine forces. 10 10 The 'Zyklon' was taken out alongside the 266-M minesweeper, Kovrovets, in a devastating ATACMS missiles strike. Its sinking was part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Last April, Ukraine's Navy said it had struck the salvage ship Kommuna - the oldest ship still serving in the Russian Navy. Ukraine's top brass say they have decimated 34 per cent of the Black Sea Fleet's 184 warships had been disabled. Trump slashes 50-day peace deadline DONALD Trump slashed the 50-day deadline for Vladimir Putin to cut a peace deal down to just the end of next week. Trump slammed the tyrant - who has not taken Trump's peace efforts seriously - saying he was "very disappointed" with him during a press conference with Sir Keir Starmer in Scotland yesterday. The US President said Putin's new deadline had been reduced down to "10 to 12" days from Monday, which would be August 6 to 8. He said: "I'm disappointed in President Putin, very disappointed in him. "So we're going to have to look and I'm going to reduce that 50 days that I gave him to a lesser number." He later clarified saying: "I'm going to make a new deadline of about 10 or 12 days from today. There's no reason in waiting, we just don't see any progress being made." Trump said that the US would do secondary sanctions on Russia - slapping sanctions on those who buy oil from Moscow. But that could all be avoided if Putin cuts a peace deal - which Trump thinks could still happen. 10 10
Telegraph
7 hours ago
- Telegraph
Starmer's charm is lost on Britain, but he has won Trump's heart
You couldn't help but get the impression that Trump found opening a new golf course at least as important as running a country. I can't actually recall any past president combining the launch of his own private business venture with the office of the presidency in this fashion but there we are. It's a new world order. He did make the point in his celebratory speech that stopping a war was, after all, rather more valuable an achievement than creating a golf course so perhaps that's reassuring. What had become clear once again on this visit – which had been described as a private holiday but was, in fact, the scene of some major diplomatic developments – was that our own dear Prime Minister was far and away the US president's favourite foreign leader. We must, of course, be grateful for this fact even if we do find it totally mystifying. Sir Keir's charm may be lost on the home audience but he is the undoubted favourite of the Trump White House and this is not solely because he is the messenger for our Royal family whom the president obviously adores. No, it is the Starmer personality itself which appears to have won Trump's heart. Why? My own guess, borrowing on my recollection of American responses to various brands of foreign behaviour is that Starmer's personality represents what Americans tend to regard as quintessential Britishness: a preternatural calmness in the face of difficulties (which is to say, a face that remains expressionless at all times) and a sycophantic courtesy which somehow manages to remain dignified. We got a hint of this when Trump referred to Sir Keir's 'beautiful accent'. Perhaps the contrast with the Macron vanity and arrogance has helped too, but whatever it is, we must acknowledge that the Starmer magic has pulled off a pretty favourable result. And ironically enough, it is precisely our separateness from the European Union – which Sir Keir is trying to undo – that made this favoured position possible. Rather less happily for the Starmer government, the president offered some advice on how to pull the UK out of its spiral of decline. Stop the boats and cut taxes was the magic formula, Mr Trump suggested presumably in a spirit of helpfulness. The problem with this counsel is that both those things are almost impossible to achieve at the moment and they are, as it happens, precisely what the most threatening Opposition parties are urging. That was rather tactless and it suggests that this alliance with Trump's Right-wing Republicanism is not going to be an easy ride. But whatever it was in Starmer's approach that did it, he is currently able to influence the Trump White House at a time when global affairs are dangerously inflamed. That may or may not be an enviable position to be in. On the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the economic future of the West, the moral responsibility of being the 'Trump whisperer' is going to be daunting.
