Benedict XVI receives President of the Russian Federation.

On Thursday, December 3rd, Benedict XVI received in audience Dimitri Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation. During the friendly discussions, both sides expressed contentment with the cordial relations that currently exist between them, and it was agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Russian Federation. Following an exchange of opinions on the international economic and political situation - also in the light of the Encyclical Caritas in veritate, of which the Pope presented the President with a copy in Russian - attention turned to the challenges currently facing security and peace. The talks then turned to cultural and social questions of mutual interest, ...