Rome, Italy - Ties between Catholics and Orthodox are improving in the wake of a Vatican official's visit to Moscow, says an expert on relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.
"Following Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo's trip, there is a new perspective for dialogue and cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church," said Peter Humeniuk, who works for the charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Archbishop Lajolo is the Vatican's secretary for the relations with states.
Humeniuk made his statements today upon returning from his own trip to Russia.
"Now, there is quite an optimistic feeling on both sides regarding Catholic/Orthodox normalization and ecumenical dialogue," he said.
Humeniuk, who accompanied ACN Secretary-General Norbert Neuhaus, explained: "This year, with Pope John Paul II's [death] and the election of Benedict XVI, Catholic issues have been very much present in Russian mass media."