Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 1:01am
Gorbachev admits he's a Christian
Nearly two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union's officially atheist empire, Mikhail Gorbachev admitted he is a Christian, the Daily Telegraph reported via Newser.com Wednesday.
On a visit to Italy the last president of the U.S.S.R. prayed at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. He later told priests the saint played a fundamental role in his life. "St. Francis is, for me, the alter Christus, the other Christ," he said.
Gorbachev always professed atheism as Soviet leader, although Ronald Reagan is said to have suspected his Cold War adversary was a "closet believer." Gorbachev's parents baptized him in the Russian Orthodox church and his wife's parents were killed during World War II for owning religious icons.
On a visit to Italy the last president of the U.S.S.R. prayed at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. He later told priests the saint played a fundamental role in his life. "St. Francis is, for me, the alter Christus, the other Christ," he said.
Gorbachev always professed atheism as Soviet leader, although Ronald Reagan is said to have suspected his Cold War adversary was a "closet believer." Gorbachev's parents baptized him in the Russian Orthodox church and his wife's parents were killed during World War II for owning religious icons.