MIKHAIL Gorbachev, the last Soviet Communist leader, has acknowledged
his Christian faith for the first time in a surprise visit to the tomb
of St Francis of Assisi.

Accompanied by his daughter Irina, he spent half an hour on his knees
in silent prayer at the tomb. "St Francis is, for me, the alter
Christus, the other Christ," he said. "His story fascinates me and has
played a fundamental role in my life."

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