President Dmitry Medvedev met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on February 17, 2011. It was the first official visit by a Russian president to the Vatican since full diplomatic relations were established.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankPresident Dmitry Medvedev met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on February 17, 2011. It was the first official visit by a Russian president to the Vatican since full diplomatic relations were established.
President Dmitry Medvedev met with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on February 17, 2011. It was the first official visit by a Russian president to the Vatican since full diplomatic relations were established.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankPope Benedict met Medvedev in the small throne hall. After shaking hands, the Pope invited him to the library in his private quarters.
Pope Benedict met Medvedev in the small throne hall. After shaking hands, the Pope invited him to the library in his private quarters.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankDuring a friendly conversation, the Pope and the president expressed their satisfaction with the good bilateral relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen ties.
During a friendly conversation, the Pope and the president expressed their satisfaction with the good bilateral relations, and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen ties.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankAfter the conversation, the president’s wife and other members of the Russian delegation were introduced to the Pope, who presented each of them with a memento.
After the conversation, the president’s wife and other members of the Russian delegation were introduced to the Pope, who presented each of them with a memento.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankPresident Medvedev gave Pope Benedict XVI the latest volume of the Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia. The Pope received several volumes from Vladimir Putin when he was president.
President Medvedev gave Pope Benedict XVI the latest volume of the Russian Orthodox Encyclopedia. The Pope received several volumes from Vladimir Putin when he was president.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankDuring the meeting in the Vatican, President Medvedev and the Pope discussed global affairs, in particular the situation in the Middle East.
During the meeting in the Vatican, President Medvedev and the Pope discussed global affairs, in particular the situation in the Middle East.
© RIA Novosti . Michael Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankThe Year of Culture of Russia and Italy began on February 16 with a festive inaugural ceremony. Photo: President Dmitry Medvedev with his wife, Svetlana, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini.
The Year of Culture of Russia and Italy began on February 16 with a festive inaugural ceremony. Photo: President Dmitry Medvedev with his wife, Svetlana, and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi with Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini.
© RIA Novosti . Michael Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankMedvedev and Berlusconi announced the start of the Year of Culture of Russia and Italy.
Medvedev and Berlusconi announced the start of the Year of Culture of Russia and Italy.
© RIA Novosti . Michael Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankThe Russian delegation put on an exhibit of paintings by Alexander Deineka in the Palace of Exhibitions in Rome. Photo: Medvedev and Berlusconi before Deineka’s painting, “The Defense of Sevastopol.”
The Russian delegation put on an exhibit of paintings by Alexander Deineka in the Palace of Exhibitions in Rome. Photo: Medvedev and Berlusconi before Deineka’s painting, “The Defense of Sevastopol.”
© RIA Novosti . Michael Klimentyev / Go to the mediabankPresident Medvedev with his wife, Svetlana, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi admiring Deineka’s paintings in the Palace of Exhibitions, the site of the inaugural ceremony for the Year of Culture of Russia and Italy.
President Medvedev with his wife, Svetlana, and Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi admiring Deineka’s paintings in the Palace of Exhibitions, the site of the inaugural ceremony for the Year of Culture of Russia and Italy.
© RIA Novosti . Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankBerlusconi also gave Medvedev a red carpet welcome at the Villa Madama.
Berlusconi also gave Medvedev a red carpet welcome at the Villa Madama.