MOSCOW - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Alexy II received the Vatican's new envoy to Moscow on Thursday, raising hopes of a possible end to a dispute between two major branches of Christianity that has prevented Pope John Paul II from fulfilling his dream of a visit to Russia.

"I would like to carry greetings from the pope to Your Holiness and convey his utmost respect," Archbishop Antonio Mennini told Alexy at the start of their meeting at the patriarch's official residence.

Alexy said he hoped Mennini's presence would help mend ties.

"Now the two churches' relations leave a lot to be desired," he said.

The meeting was not reported in Russian media, although they usually follow the Orthodox Church head's activities closely. Photographers and television camera operators were permitted to record the beginning of the meeting but were then asked to leave after the prelates' exchange of pleasantries.

Earlier this week, Russia's ambassador to the Holy See indicated that the government hoped that the Russian Orthodox and Catholic hierarchies could smooth over their differences, allowing for John Paul's long-desired trip to Russia.

President Vladimir Putin, too, has indicated that he would favor a papal visit, but said that it would be dependent on the two churches' resolving their conflict.

"A visit by the pope to Moscow is not only possible but necessary," Ambassador Vitaly Litvin was quoted as saying by Russia's Vremya Novostei newspaper.

He said that the Catholic Church was welcome to send replacements for five foreign-born priests who have been banned from Russia, and claimed that their expulsions had nothing to do with religion.

"Some representatives of the Catholic Church stepped back from the spiritual sphere and got involved in activities incompatible with the status of priest," Litvin said. "If a spiritual figure is involved with purely commercial activities, that's not normal."

It was unclear what exactly he had in mind, and the Russian government has given no official explanation for the priests' expulsions.

About two-thirds of Russia's 144 million inhabitants are Russian Orthodox. There are approximately 600,000 Catholics in the country.

The Orthodox Church, highly sensitive to what it views as obstacles to restoring its flock after decades of Soviet atheism, complains that Catholics are trying to convert people on its territory.

Alexy has said repeatedly that he will not agree to a papal visit unless relations improve and Catholics stop their alleged proselytizing.

The dispute escalated sharply last year after the Vatican decided to upgrade its "apostolic administrations" in Russia to full dioceses.