Pope John Paul II may be attempting to break down centuries-old religious hatred around the world but he cannot count on an invitation to Moscow, according to Russian patriarch Alexis II.

Pope, who wound up his historic visit to Syria on Monday cannot count on an invitation to Russia from the Russian orthodox church, Alexis was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency. The main obstacle is expansion of (Roman) Catholicism in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and in other (former Soviet) territories, based on apologies and appeals for reconciliation between different branches of Christianity, The patriarch said.

During a visit to Greece on Friday and Saturday, the Pope expressed repentance on behalf of his church over acts carried out against orthodox faith by Roman Catholic church.

The orthodox church gave a muted response, calling for concrete measures towards dialogue between the two churches.
The head of Greece's orthodox church, Archbishop Christodoulos, is currently on a nine-day visit to Russia. The consequences of the Pope's Greek trip as regards inter-religious relations will be a theme for his talks with Alexis II and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The pope was due to leave Syria on Tuesday for the largely-Catholic Mediterranean Island of Malta.

Bureau Report