Russian President Vladimir Putin used a trip to Italy to press his case against international sanctions and was urged by Pope Francis to make a “sincere effort” for peace in Ukraine. After telling Italian premier Matteo Renzi that Western sanctions imposed over Russia’s actions in Ukraine would cost Italian companies a billion euros, Putin spent 50 minutes chatting to the pope at the Vatican on Wednesday. A Vatican statement said the pontiff had urged the Russian leader, and other parties to the Ukraine conflict, to make a “sincere effort” for peace. “The holy father stressed that there has to be …read more
Source: Daily News & Analysis
