Holy See–Russia relations

Holy See–Russia relations

Holy See	Russia

Holy See–Russia relations (Template:Lang-ru) is the bilateral relationship between the Holy See and Russia. The Holy See has an Apostolic Nunciature in Moscow. Russia has a permanent representative to the Holy See based in Rome.

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev ordered the establishment of full diplomatic relations between Russia and the Holy See following the meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in December 2009.

The two countries are the largest and the smallest countries in the world.

Ecumenical relations

Holy See–Russia relations are largely linked to ecumenical relations with the Russian Orthodox Church.

Relationship before the 1917 revolution

Main article: Pope Pius IX and Russia

Pope Pius IX, who faced his own problems with revolutionary movements in his Church State, first tried to position himself in the middle, strongly opposing revolutionary and violent opposition against the Russian authorities and appealing to them for more Church freedom.

John Paul II

Main article: Holy See–Soviet Union relations

There were mixed reactions in Russia on the papacy of Pope John Paul II. Many Russians were happy that John Paul had reduced the influence of atheistic Communism in Eastern Europe and contributed to a rebirth of Christianity in the country. However, many others did not like the fact that the fall of the Soviet Union had also provoked a loss of Russian influence in Eastern Europe. The fact that John Paul was Polish also caused tensions, since there is a historic ethno-religious rivalry between Poland and Russia.

See also

• Foreign relations of the Holy See
• Foreign relations of Russia

External links

• Template:Ru icon Documents on the Holy See – Russia relationship from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Benedict XVI receives President of the Russian Federation Video of meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and President Dmitry Medvedev from Official YouTube channel of the Vatican. 3 December 2009, Retrieved 20 November 2010