Vatican Press Service Denies Reports of Pope Francis Congratulating Putin

Reports claiming that Pope Francis congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his victory in the presidential elections are false, according to the Vatican Press Service.

"This does not correspond to reality," said a representative from the agency.

On Sunday evening, Leonid Sevastianov, head of the Old Believers' World Union, who allegedly communicated with the Pope, informed RIA Novosti that the Pontiff congratulated Putin on being elected as the President of Russia.