President Shaimiev regrets that dad will not be able to come to Russia yet

The President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev expressed regret that the arrival of Pope John Paul II to Russia is faced with certain difficulties.

"Some in Russia do not want to come to Russia and, in particular, to Kazan, the pope," M. Shaimiev said in an interview with Interfax in St. Petersburg today.

M. Shaimiev recalled that John Paul II proposed to personally bring to Kazan and give the icon of the Kazan Mother of God. "However, certain forces in our country opposed this," said M. Shaimiev. In this regard, he expressed regret, because, according to the president, a good will was shown from the Vatican . "

Earlier, the Russian Orthodox Church has repeatedly spoke out against the arrival of John Paul II to Russia, until the contradictions between the Vatican and the Moscow Patriarchate are resolved.

“Anyway, someday it will be necessary to start the dialogue of two churches, why put it off? The overwhelming problems are solved, the earlier - the better,” said the President of Tatarstan.