(RNS) — The story of the Rev. Hilarion Alfeyev captures how a once robust effort to bring Russian Orthodox Christianity and the Catholic Church together has foundered. (RNS) — Diplomacy is back.

MOSCOW, May 9 (Reuters) - Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, sent a message of congratulations on Friday to Pope Leo, whose predecessor Pope Francis had criticised Kirill's ...

the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, sent a message of congratulations on Friday to Pope Leo, whose predecessor Pope Francis had criticised Kirill's backing for Russia's war in Ukraine.