Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s telephone conversation with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher

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Bilateral relations

RUSSIA-VATICAN RELATIONS

First contacts between Russia and the Holy See date back to the end of the 15th century. Since the end of the 18th century Pope’s temporary missions to Russian tsars have been held on a regular basis. The first Russian representative was accredited to the Holy See in 1801.

In the aftermath of the January uprising in Poland in 1865 diplomatic relations between the Russian Empire and the Holy See were suspended and then resumed when Nicholas II ascended the throne in 1894. In 1917 the Vatican recognized the Russian Provisional Government. After the October Revolution an attempt to reestablish diplomatic relations failed.

Official relations between the USSR and the Vatican were established in March 1990 at the level of representatives in the rank of ambassadors. The Russian ambassador was accredited in 1992.

Diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Vatican were established on December 9, 2009 by an exchange of notes. The Ambassador of Russia to the Holy See is Ivan Soltanovsky, the Apostolic Nuncio to the Russian Federation is Giovanni d’Aniello.

Russia-Vatican relations are based on respect for cultural and historic heritage, as well as a dialogue on challenges faced by the modern world. Both parties are aimed at upholding universal values, preventing threats and uprising challenges, protecting Christians in conflict zones and promoting interreligious relations.

The bilateral political dialogue has witnessed steady development. Pope John Paul II met with Mikhail Gorbachev (1989), Boris Yeltsin (1991, 1998), Vladimir Putin (2000, 2003). Pope Benedict XVI had meetings with Vladimir Putin (2007) and Dmitry Medvedev (2009, 2011).

On November 25, 2013, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin met with Pope Francis and Secretary of State of the Holy See Pietro Parolin in the Vatican. On June 10, 2015, during his visit to Italy the Russian President also had a conversation with the Pontiff.

On August 20-24, 2017, the Vatican’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin paid an official visit to Russia. He had talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A bilateral agreement on visa free travels for diplomatic passport holders was signed.

On July 4, 2019, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Vatican. He held talks with Pope Francis and Secretary of State Pietro Parolin.

On December 17, 2021, Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Pope Francis on the occasion of his 85th birthday.

The special military operation in Ukraine and complex international situation had an impact on the Russian-Vatican cooperation. On February 25, 2022, Pope Francis personally visited the Russian Embassy to the Holy See to have a conversation over the special military operation with Ambassador Alexander Avdeev.

On September 2022, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a meeting with Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on the sidelines of the general debate of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Vatican

VATICAN

The Holy See (Vatican) is an independent state with its own territory and population. The Holy See administered by the Roman Curia has ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the Catholic Church and sovereignty over the Vatican City.

With only 0.44 square kilometers, Vatican situated in the heart of Rome is the smallest state in the world. The current population of the Vatican City is about 800 people. Unlike other countries, Vatican citizenship is not based on birth but usually granted only to those who reside and work there.

The Vatican is an absolute theocratic monarchy ruled by the Pope who exercises principal legislative, executive and judicial power. The Secretariat of State performs all the political and diplomatic functions of the Holy See and has three sections: the Section for General Affairs, the Section for Relations with States and the Section for Diplomatic Staff.

The College of Cardinals of the Roman Curia is an advisory body to the Pope consisting of all the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are allowed to vote in conclaves (election of the new pope).

The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 182 states. It has observer status at the UN and other international organizations.

The Vatican Apostolic Library and the extensive collections of art and archaeology of the Vatican Museums are of the highest historical, scientific and cultural importance. In 1984 the Vatican was added by UNESCO to the list of World Heritage Sites.

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