Holy See–Russia relations
Holy See–Russia relations (Russian: Российско-Ватиканские отношения) 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.
Relationship before the 1917 revolution
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
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.
After 1991, the Russian government started a dialogue with the Vatican.
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. President Vladimir Putin maintains a good relationship with Pope Francis and helped to arrange a meeting between the Pope and Patriarch Kirill at Havana, Cuba in 2016.
- Foreign relations of the Holy See
- Foreign relations of Russia
- Joint Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill
- "Russia and the Vatican establish full diplomatic ties". London: BBC News. 3 December 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 3 December 2009.
- Culbertson, Alix (August 11, 2017). "Vladimir Putin cultivates friendship with the Pope in attempt to get one over on EU". Daily Express. London.
President Vladimir Putin struck up his friendship with the Pope in 2013 when Francis wrote an open letter to the Russian leader, who was chairing the G20, telling him he opposed US military intervention in Syria.
- Povoledo, Elisabetta; Yardley, Jim (February 5, 2016). "In Historic Move, Pope to Meet With Leader of Russian Orthodox Church". The New York Times. New York City. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018.
The Russian church is closely aligned with the Russian government...and the meeting with the pope would have required permission from Mr. Putin. Signing off on the meeting allows the Russian president to show the different avenues he can use to avoid isolation.
- (in Russian) 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