Putin sends anniversary wishes to pope

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 13 - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sent a message of good wishes to Pope Francis on the 11th anniversary of his election to the papal throne, the Russian embassy to the Holy See told the Tass news agency.
    It said there are "close contacts with representatives of the Vatican" and "direct contacts between the ambassador, Ivan Soltanovsky and the Pope".
    The embassy stated that Pope Francis is "a true and honest defender of peace and one of the few leaders with an honest strategic vision of world problems". (ANSA).