Vladimir Putin has paid tribute to Pope Francis following his sudden death at the age of 88.
Pope Francis died on Easter Monday (21 April), following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican said.
Speaking in Moscow on Monday, the Russian leader said: “This was a man, I want to emphasize once again, who had a highly positive attitude towards Russia.”
“The Pope has done a lot not only for his flock, but also for the whole world. We offer our deepest condolences to the entire Christian world, and above all, of course, to Catholics," Putin added.
