Moscow, Russia, Aug 15, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II told President Vladimir Putin Friday that Pope John Paul II is not welcome in Russia, reported The Associated Press.
The patriarch repeated that the icon the pontiff had hoped to return to Russia personally is only one of the many copies of a revered 16th-century work.
"For that reason there is no need for the pope himself to bring it," the patriarch reportedly said.
The Vatican icon – known as the Mother of God of Kazan – will be turned over to the Russian Orthodox Church at the Cathedral of the Assumption in the Kremlin Aug. 28, Itar-Tass reported.