Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Vatican welcomes first Russian ambassador

The Vatican has received the diplomatic credentials of Nikolay Sadchikov, the first-ever Russian ambassador to the Holy See.

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Secretary for Relations with States, welcomed the Russian envoy in a brief ceremony on June 26.

Russia and the Holy See had exchanged diplomatic representatives since 1990, but only last December was the relationship upgraded to include full diplomatic ties and the exchange of ambassadors.

Archbishop Antonio Mennini, the Vatican’s representative in Moscow, is expected to meet soon with foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, confirming his new status as the apostolic nuncio.

SIC: CC