His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets French public figure Pierre de Gaulle

DECR Communication service, 18.12.2025

On 18 December 2025, a meeting took place at the Patriarchal and Synodal Residence at the Danilov Monastery in Moscow between His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the French public figure Pierre de Gaulle. The guest was accompanied by his wife, Rima de Gaulle.

Also taking part in the meeting was Archimandrite Philaret (Bulekov), Deputy Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate.

Warmly welcoming the guest, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church recalled the historical contribution of his grandfather, Charles de Gaulle, to the common struggle against fascism and to the development of relations between the peoples of the two countries. His Holiness expressed the hope that, despite contemporary political vicissitudes, the people of France would preserve historical memory and would not consign to oblivion the heroic pages of their shared history.

“We have great respect for this country and believe in its future, because the entire historical experience of the French people—connected with the development of culture, science, and other aspects of human life, testifies to their very great potential,” said His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, expressing hope for the development of relations in all areas, including contacts between religious organizations in Russia and France.

Addressing the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church with words of gratitude on behalf of himself and his wife for the opportunity to meet and speak with His Holiness, Pierre de Gaulle emphasized: “Without a doubt, we are deeply religious people, and we strive to defend those values of faith, spirituality, family, and traditional values that my grandfather also defended in his time. We believe that we must continue the struggle for these values, because it is impossible to build the life of France without spirituality and without faith.”

He expressed his readiness, to the extent of his abilities, “to contribute to the development of Russian–French friendship in contrast to the technocratic, distorted Europe that we unfortunately observe today.” “In Russia, on the contrary, we see traditional values, spiritual values, and this is a continuation of our shared traditions,” he stated.

The conversation continued with a discussion of issues of mutual interest, including the topic of preserving traditional values in the life of nations.

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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill meets French public figure Pierre de Gaulle

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons

Patriarch

Department Chairman

Sermons