Vladimir Putin has spoken fondly about Pope Francis following the announcement of his death this morning. The Russian President hailed the leader of the Catholic Church as a "defender of the highest values of humanism and justice", according to the Kremlin.

In a statement, Putin also said to have had "the privilege of communication with this outstanding man on many occasions", adding he will forever "retain the fondest memory" of Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio. In a letter of condolences, the Russian President also noted the Pope’s international clout as a "consistent defender of the high values of humanism and justice." He said the pope "actively encouraged the development of a dialogue between the Russian Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Churches, as well as constructive interaction between Russia and the Holy See."

Putin's emotional response to the pontiff's passing comes after the Pope issued an unequivocal warning to warring Russia and Ukraine to call and immediate ceasefire in their conflict - which the Kremlin ignored.

In a pre-Christmas address delivered on December 22 Francis condemned the “cruelty” of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.

He said: “Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring out!

“Let us pray that at Christmas there will be a ceasefire on all war fronts, in Ukraine, in the Holy Land, throughout the Middle East and throughout the world."

And in what many interprested as a direct attack on Moscow he referenced the “battered Ukraine” that continues to be hit by attacks on cities, “which sometimes damage schools, hospitals and churches.”

He also expressed his pain about suffering in Gaza and spoke of "such cruelty, to the machine-gunning of children, to the bombing of schools and hospitals".

And in 2023 Francis revealed the Vatican was involved in a peace mission to try to end the conflict, saying: “I am willing to do everything that has to be done. There is a mission in course now but it is not yet public. When it is public, I will reveal it.

“I think that peace is always made by opening channels. You can never achieve peace through closure. This is not easy.”

The Pope revealed he had spoken about the crisis in Ukraine while on a visit to Hungary, saying: “In these meetings we did not just talk about Little Red Riding Hood. We spoke of all these things. Everyone is interested in the road to peace."

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky shared a photograph from a 2023 meeting he had with Pope Francis in which the pontiff told him he is "praying for peace" after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"He knew how to give hope, ease suffering through prayer, and foster unity," Mr Zelensky said in his statement.

"He prayed for peace in Ukraine and for Ukrainians.

"We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support."

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