Russia and Vatican to Establish Full Diplomatic Ties

Russia and the Vatican have announced plans to establish full diplomatic relations, ending years of skepticism between the Roman Catholic Church and Russian Orthodox churches.

With full diplomatic relations in place the two sides will establish embassies in Moscow and in Rome whereas up until now Moscow only had an office of representation at the Vatican, a step below the position of ambassador.

News of the new relationship was announced following Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Italy. According to presidential spokeswoman Natalya Timakova, “President Medvedev told Pope Benedict at today's meeting that he signed a decree concerning the establishment of full diplomatic relations with the Vatican.”

For decades the Russian Orthodox churches accused the Roman Catholic Church of trying to convert Russians to Catholicism, accusations that fostered a cold relationship between the two. That relationship has thawed since Metropolitan Kirill took over as the leader of the Orthodox Church following the death of Patriarch Alexiy II in December 2008.

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