Serbian Patriarch Irinej has said that Serbia can never give away Kosovo, and that it was not yet time for the visit of Pope Francis.

"Kosovo can be taken away, be occupied as it is today, but Serbia can never say 'we are giving that away', because what is given away is lost forever, while what is taken away by force, is taken back the same way," the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) told TV Hram, commenting on "the internal dialogue on KIM (Kosovo and Metohija)."

Patriarch Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), on Sunday called on Kosovo Serbs to remain in the province, urging its displaced population to return.