Vatican Envoy Visits Orthodox Patriarch

MOSCOW —  Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II received the Vatican’s new envoy to Moscow on Thursday, raising hopes of a possible end to a dispute between two major branches of Christianity that has prevented Pope John Paul II from fulfilling his desire to visit Russia.

“I would like to carry greetings from the pope to Your Holiness and convey his utmost respect,” Archbishop Antonio Mennini told Alexy at the patriarch’s official residence.

Alexy said he hoped that Mennini’s presence would help mend ties. “Now the two churches’ relations leave a lot to be desired,” he said.

Ties between the churches are strained over Russian accusations that Roman Catholics are trying to undermine the Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox Church, highly sensitive to what it views as obstacles to restoring its flock after decades of Soviet atheism, complains that Catholics are trying to convert people who traditionally would have been Orthodox.

Alexy has said repeatedly that he will not agree to a papal visit unless relations improve and Catholics stop their alleged proselytizing.

Earlier this week, Russia’s ambassador to the Holy See indicated that the government hoped that the Russian Orthodox and Catholic hierarchies could smooth over their differences, allowing for John Paul’s long-desired trip.