His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets with minister for international cooperation and integration of Italy and with general secretary of the Community of St. Egidio

On 14 June 2012, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia met with the recently appointed minister for international cooperation and integration of Italy, Mr. Andrea Riccardi, and with the general secretary of the Community of St. Egidio, professor Adriano Roccucci. They were joined in the meeting, which took place at the Patriarchal residence in St. Daniel’s Monastery, by hieromonk Antoniy (Sevryuk), secretary of the Ad=ministration of Moscow Patriarchate’s parishes in Italy.

The Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church congratulated Andrea Riccardi with his appointment and expressed appreciation with the fact that the leadership of the Italian Republic devoted attention to the role of religious communities that play in the development of relations among nations, strengthening of peace and good-neighbourly relations.

Discussed at the meeting was the present situation of Christians in Europe. It was noted that in the period of economic crisis it is especially important to bear witness about the intransient spiritual and moral values that lie at the root of European civilization and of cultures of many nations of the world.