Regarding the "Consecration of Russia"
Beyond this apparition/canard mentioned in this thread... as Catholics we need to hang our hat on the Catholic Faith alone, not on private revelations (including Fatima - dogmatized by some).
I've heard some rabid anti-sede folks in the "Fatima Industry" point to Fatima as "dogmatic" proof that the Seat must be occupied (regardless of Roman heresy / apostasy), as Our Lady said we must pray for the Pope to consecrate Russia. They would say If there is no Pope then the Novus Ordo Sr. Lucy (read imposter) was wrong, and according to them, to question the "Sr. Lucy" and her opinion as to whether Russia was consecrated "sufficiently" by Pius XII would be "heresy".
Don't get me wrong, I like private revelations (Fatima included). I am convinced however, that La Salette is the principal revelation for our times. I'm also convinced that the "Third Secret" of Fatima is essentially the message of La Salette. Why would Our Lady contradict herself?
Some things to consider regarding the (largely if not entirely) fulfilled message of Fatima... nations were anihilated and Portugal lost the Faith. Prior to Pius XII's consecration of Russia, the "Rulers of Russia" were rapidly spreading their errors (to China, Europe, America and beyond - we're not talking about "Orthodoxy" here).
In July 1952 Pius XII specifically consecrated the Peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by his apostolic letter Sacro Vergente Anno. Pius XII stated:
"Just as a few years ago We consecrated the entire human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God, so today We consecrate and in a most special manner We entrust all the peoples of Russia to this Immaculate Heart…"
There can be no doubt that in 1952-1953 (post consecration - post Stalin) some sort of drastic change / conversion occured in Russia. Remember Communist Russia (and the butcher Stalin) was our great ally and in short order (after Pius XII's consecration) Stalin lost the office he held for 30 years (1952), died (1953) and Russia gradually stopped marching to the "Rulers of Russia's" drum. Russia became (USA's, Mainstream Media's, Hollywood's, United Nation's) "Mortal Enemy".
Today, Mr. Putin's Russia is definitely at enmity with the former "Rulers", is the US?