Pope Leo XIV will hold his first official meeting with Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk on July 26 in a move signaling a delicate attempt to resurrect communication between the Vatican and the Russian Orthodox Church.

According to Kyiv Independent, the meeting highlights renewed efforts from the Holy See to engage Moscow’s religious leaders as unrest in Ukraine continues to strain relations across national and ecclesiastical borders.

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the historic encounter will take place at the Vatican and brings together two prominent representatives from deeply divided Christian traditions. Metropolitan Anthony serves as the Russian Orthodox Church’s head of external relations, a position that makes him one of the most visible voices of Patriarch Kirill, who has strongly supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

This will be the first audience between Pope Leo XIV and Metropolitan Anthony. The Russian cleric had previously represented Patriarch Kirill at the funeral of Pope Francis, the late predecessor of Pope Leo.

Tensions between the Holy See and the Russian Orthodox Church have escalated dramatically since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. As casualties mounted and mistrust deepened, communication between the Vatican and Moscow’s religious leadership cooled.

Diplomacy Meets Religion Amid Conflict

Signs of a thaw emerged earlier this summer when, on June 4, the pope held a rare telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call marked a notable step given the increasingly limited diplomatic engagement between the Vatican and the Kremlin since the war began.

During that call, the Kremlin urged Pope Leo XIV to take more initiative in advocating for religious freedom in Ukraine—especially for the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which Ukraine has moved to restrict due to its alleged ties with Russia. The Vatican later stated that the pope had emphasized “dialogue and religious freedom” during the exchange.

Since the invasion, Ukrainian authorities have accused the Moscow-affiliated church of maintaining allegiance to the Russian state, prompting a ban on its operations within Ukraine. This institution remains distinct from the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which gained independence from the Moscow Patriarchate in recent years.

Grievances Over Religious Freedom Surface

Russian officials allege that Ukraine’s crackdown on the Moscow-linked church represents a violation of religious liberty. In particular, the Kremlin claims the church’s rights have been suppressed, citing concerns such as restrictions on worship and government scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials argue these actions are necessary for national security. They cite numerous incidents of suspected collaboration between clergy and Russian authorities, as well as attempts to spread pro-Kremlin narratives within occupied areas.

Ukrainian reporting further alleges that Russian forces have targeted religious institutions across occupied regions. According to officials, these actions have included the destruction of churches, abduction or killing of clergy, and suppression of independent and minority religious groups.

Sharing the Faith, Bridging the Divide

The Russian Orthodox Church has long maintained close ties to Russia’s political leadership, and Patriarch Kirill has voiced open support for the country’s military efforts, making ecumenical outreach particularly contentious. Still, the Vatican continues to push for dialogue even in the face of growing skepticism.

In a separate diplomatic effort, Pope Leo XIV held a meeting on July 9 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. That conversation took place at Castel Gandolfo shortly before the Ukraine Recovery Conference co-hosted by Italy and Ukraine.

Both leaders emphasized the need for peace, with the Vatican stating that the discussion centered around the war and the “urgent need for a just and lasting peace.” Pope Leo also again offered to mediate direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials, though earlier such offers from the Vatican were rebuffed by Moscow.

A Call for Peace and Persistence

Following the July 9 meeting, Zelensky publicly thanked Pope Leo for his ongoing advocacy and willingness to serve as a channel toward resolution. He called the encounter a “great honor” and offered gratitude for the pope’s support at a time when Ukraine continues to endure attacks.

In previous remarks, Pope Leo has made his feelings on the situation clear, describing Ukraine as a nation “martyred” by Russia’s “senseless war.” These comments reflect a more forceful tone than that of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who was at times criticized for not addressing Russia’s role in the conflict with sufficient clarity.

The July 26 meeting between Pope Leo and Metropolitan Anthony could indicate whether the Vatican’s push for renewed religious dialogue will succeed, even as fighting continues and political divisions show no sign of abating.