MOSCOW, Dec 30: The Russian Orthodox Church’s leader said on Tuesday he “categorically” refused to meet the Pope until relations between their churches improved, dashing the ailing pontiff’s dream of visiting Russia.

The frail 83-year-old Pope John Paul has long had his sights set on a visit to Moscow to help bring about a reconciliation between the two churches, divided since the Great Schism of 1054.

Orthodox Patriarch Alexiy II said the Vatican needed to take positive steps towards bettering relations.

“Unfortunately, apart from a declaration of the wish to repair relations, to meet with the head of the Russian church and to visit Russia, we don’t see any concrete improvement in the relations between our churches,” Interfax news agency quoted him as telling journalists.

“I can only justify such a meeting to my flock if there are concrete steps that can will be taken to improve our relationship with the Roman Catholic church,” he added. “I categorically refuse to meet ‘in front of the cameras’.”—Reuters