MOSCOW, April 20, (RIA Novosti) - Vladimir Putin has sent congratulations to His Holiness Pope Benedictus XVI on the occasion of his election to the apostolic see, said the press-service of the Russian president.The message says in particular:"Your lofty mission begins at a crucial period of world development. The third millennium is opening up new opportunities for economic and social progress of mankind.
At the same time one feels ever more acutely the need to preserve the moral, ethical and spiritual fundamentals of life, to assure social harmony, and to jointly resist extremism and intolerance. And here the role of the Christian and other world religions is especially important and significant.
"Russia is set to continue the constructive political dialogue and coordination of efforts with the Holy See in the interests of global problems and advancement of the values of kindness, justice and humanism".
