On Thursday, Pope Francis received Elena Gagarina, Director General of the Moscow Kremlin Museums, in a private audience. This was reported by the Holy See's press office.
This meeting was Gagarina's first with Pope Francis and took place at the invitation of the Pontiff, who highlighted "the importance and usefulness of art and culture in general, as well as the close cooperation between the Kremlin Museums and the Vatican Museums." "The meeting was very pleasant and friendly," Gagarina told a correspondent from TASS. "It is very gratifying that the Vatican and the Vatican Museums pay great attention to our relationship."
As the agency's interlocutor stated, Pope Francis carefully inquired about the Kremlin Museums' exhibition. The director spoke about its construction, the expansion of exhibition spaces, and the museum's restoration. "The Pope said he was happy with our cooperation and that he highly valued the work of the Vatican Museums," added Gagarina.
She noted that the Kremlin and Vatican Museums are at the beginning of a new stage of cooperation. "Both museums have a long history. In many ways, we have a unique destiny and a common future," stated Gagarina.
She said she is negotiating a cooperation agreement with the Director of the Vatican Museums, Barbara Jatta, which will involve close scientific cooperation and the intention to carry out bilateral exhibition activities.
For his part, the Russian Ambassador to the Vatican, Alexander Avdeev, noted: "The reception of Gagarina today by Pope Francis is a genuine continuation of the agreements that were reached during the Pontiff's last meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin (in July 2019) on developing cooperation in the field of culture and implementing major cultural projects."