In pictures: Russian icon returns

1 of 7 Nobody knows the exact history of this 18th Century replica of Russia's revered Virgin of Kazan icon before it was sold to Roman Catholics in the US in 1970.

2 of 7 But with the original believed to have been destroyed, the Vatican was well aware of the copy's spiritual importance and publicly venerated it this year at St Peter's Basilica.

3 of 7 That was the prelude to sending it back to Russia, returning an important image to an Orthodox Church recovering from the ravages of Soviet Communism.

4 of 7 The same Catholic cardinal who blessed the icon at St Peter's carried it into Moscow's historic Cathedral of the Assumption.

5 of 7 Patriarch Alexy, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, was there to see the precious image back in its homeland.

6 of 7 The original icon was venerated for centuries and was used to inspire Russian soldiers going into battle.

7 of 7 The Russian patriarch thanked the Vatican, but it will take more than the Pope's gift to reconcile the two Christian Churches.