Excellent analysis as usual. And not to be flippant, but I feel like the picture of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill is begging for a caption contest.
Pope Francis doesn’t want to ruffle Kirill or Putins feathers by noting their aggressor push in the war but derails the apparent diplomatic rationale and goal with off the cuff remark to the media that Kirill shouldn’t be Putin’s altar boy. Thus sacrificing some moral credibility with silence on their aggression, and at the same time not gaining an opportunity to mitigate that by diplomatic engagement due to snarky remark. Good moves
Let’s be honest, Kyrill and most of the ROC do not acknowledge that the pope is a brother bishop. Like most Russian political agendas people are to be used, manipulated and scorned. The “Third Rome” what a bunch of nonsense. Just because the RIC claims huge numbers doesn’t make it the God-favored See among the Orthodox. The “taxis” or order of priority among the Apostolic patriarchates doesn’t include Moscow.
Excellent analysis as usual. And not to be flippant, but I feel like the picture of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill is begging for a caption contest.
I posted my entry as the section sub hed...
Kirill: "Look at me! The Bishop of Rome wants to be my buddy and subordinate!"
Francis: "I wonder if I'll have the pasta or the risotto tonight."
Francis: Where do I pick up a hat like that? I want a hat like that! :)
Pope Francis doesn’t want to ruffle Kirill or Putins feathers by noting their aggressor push in the war but derails the apparent diplomatic rationale and goal with off the cuff remark to the media that Kirill shouldn’t be Putin’s altar boy. Thus sacrificing some moral credibility with silence on their aggression, and at the same time not gaining an opportunity to mitigate that by diplomatic engagement due to snarky remark. Good moves
Kyrill, the concubine of the Russian state.
Let’s be honest, Kyrill and most of the ROC do not acknowledge that the pope is a brother bishop. Like most Russian political agendas people are to be used, manipulated and scorned. The “Third Rome” what a bunch of nonsense. Just because the RIC claims huge numbers doesn’t make it the God-favored See among the Orthodox. The “taxis” or order of priority among the Apostolic patriarchates doesn’t include Moscow.