On 20 March 2013, Pope Francis of Rome met with representatives
of Christian Churches and world religions who arrived from many countries to
attend his enthronement. Taking part in the meeting on behalf of the Russian
Orthodox Church were Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the
Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations (DECR), and
members of the delegation Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol, Metropolitan Platon
of Feodosia and Kerch, Bishop Sergiy of Solnechnogorsk, and hieromonk Anthony
(Sevryuk).

His Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople greeted the Pope on
behalf of the delegated from the Local Orthodox Churches. Pope Francis welcomed
them and underscored the importance of inter-Christian and interreligious
dialogue.

In the end of the meeting, delegated from the Russian Orthodox Church
congratulated the new Pope of Rome and wished many successful years to his
pontificate. Pope Francis wished God’s help to the Moscow Patriarchate
delegation and expressed his particular joy over meeting with Metropolitan
Platon whom he knew during his ministry in Argentina.

After the audience, Metropolitan Hilarion had a short meeting with Cardinal
Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious
Dialogue, and with Enzo Bianchi, Prior of the monastic community of Bose.