Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown off his religious side during a visit to the Vatican, stopping to cross himself and kiss an icon of the Madonna that he gave to Pope Francis.
Putin and Francis met privately for 35 minutes this evening in the pope's private library. The Vatican didn't immediately give details about the conversation.
Francis gave Putin a ceramic mosaic of the Vatican gardens, and Putin presented Francis with an image of the icon of the Madonna of Vladimir, an important religious icon for the Russian Orthodox faithful.
After they exchanged the gifts, Putin asked Francis if he liked it, and Francis said he did. Putin then crossed himself and kissed the image, and Francis followed suit.
The Argentine pope is particularly devoted to Marian icons.
