During an online meeting with Russian Catholics, Pope Francis urged Russian youth to remember the greatness of their country and never forget their heritage, the website of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow reports.

“You are heirs of the great Russia: the great Russia of the saints, of the rulers, of the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, of that empire – great, enlightened, (a country. – Ed.) of great culture and great humanity. Never give up this inheritance, you are heirs of the great Mother Russia, go forward with it. And thank you. Thank you for your way of being, for your way of being Russians,” the Vatican head said.