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Interim Orthodox leader picked after Alexy's death: Metropolitan Kirill

Metropolitan Kirill, considered a reformer in his approach to relations with the Russian government and the Roman Catholic Church, has been chosen as the interim leader of the Russian Orthodox Church following the death on December 5 of Patriarch Alexy II, who was 79.

Alexy II shepherded his church through the rubble of communism and helped the dominant church body of Russia revive to the point that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin became an open supporter this century.