Vatican reaches out
The week's news at a glance.
Rome
The Vatican this week returned a Russian holy icon to the Russian Orthodox Church, in an effort to ease tensions between the two Christian religions. Pope John Paul II had long planned to give the Kazan icon, an 18th-century copy of a 16th-century Madonna, to Patriarch Alexy II, the Orthodox leader. The pope wanted to deliver the icon personally on a visit to Moscow to symbolize reconciliation between the two churches. But the rapprochement faltered several years ago when the Vatican opened four new Roman Catholic dioceses in Russia. An angry patriarch then said he would not sanction a papal visit, but he did receive the cardinal who delivered the icon to Moscow this week. “The Kazan icon, despite reprehensible misunderstandings and differences, has rewarded our efforts to restore the unity of all Christians,” Alexy said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published