Pope urges Putin to make 'sincere, great effort' for Ukraine peace
A stern Pope Francis urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 10 to make a "sincere and great effort" to achieve peace in Ukraine.
The two met for about 50 minutes and agreed on the need to recreate a climate of dialogue in Ukraine and to implement a peace deal designed to end fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatist rebels, the Vatican said.
The meeting underlined how Francis has been increasingly using his role for diplomatic ends - particularly following the deal he brokered last year between Cuba and the United States to resume diplomatic relations after more than half a century.
Putin, who has been shunned by the Group of Seven nations over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region last year, was received with full honors and regalia at the Vatican, including a ceremonial Swiss Guard welcome.