Moscow, May 10 (UNI) Russia hopes for the development of dialogue between Russia and the Vatican based on equality and mutual respect after the election of Pope Leo XIV, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakhavova said.

"We hope that with the election of Pope Leo XIV as head of the Roman Catholic Church, the progressive development of the Russian-Vatican dialogue will continue on the basis of equality and mutual respect," Zakhavova said in a statement on Friday.

Russia also values constructive cooperation with the Vatican in resolving in a number of humanitarian issues in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, the statement read.

UNI/SPUTNIK SS