Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Pope John Paul today to gently nudge the Orthodox and Catholic churches towards improving ties soured by a decade of post-Communist suspicions.
But his efforts may prove too late for Pope John Paul, a key figure in the downfall of communism in eastern Europe, whose failing health could prevent him from fulfilling his dream of visiting Moscow unless a possibility comes soon.
Attempts to promote dialogue between the Vatican and a reinvigorated Russian Orthodox Church have made little progress.
Orthodox Patriarch Alexiy II has made a visit by the Holy Father contingent on resolving complaints that Catholics are both poaching congregations and provoking disputes over property in western Ukraine
