Russia's new ambassador to the Holy See, Ivan Soltanovsky, presented his credentials to Pope Francis.
I have the honor to present my credentials on behalf of the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin.
Soltanovsky has had a long career in diplomacy. He was Deputy Permanent Representative to NATO and also a representative to the Council of Europe. He held the latter position from 2015 to 2022.
He now arrives at the Vatican at a crucial moment as the war in Ukraine rages on and in the midst of the Vatican peace mission led by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The Cardinal previously visited Moscow at the end of June but may return to the city for a second time.
The new ambassador replaces Alexander Avdeed, who had an important meeting with Pope Francis on February 25, 2022—one day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
POPE FRANCIS
The day after the war—I thought this could not be done, this unusual thing—I went to the Russian embassy to talk to the ambassador, who is a good man. I have known him for 6 years since he arrived. He is a humanist.
On that day, Pope Francis made the unprecedented gesture of leaving the Vatican to personally go to the Russian Embassy. There, he expressed his sorrow and concern over the beginning of the conflict.
KG/CA
