Russia’s new ambassador to the Vatican met with Pope Francis on Monday for a protocol visit. The Vatican envoy may soon undertake a second mission to Moscow on peace in Ukraine, ApNews reported.
The Vatican says Ambassador Ivan Soltanovsky is presenting his credentials to Francis, signaling his official start. His motorcade left the Russian embassy for the Vatican on Monday and was on its way back about two hours later.
Soltanovsky succeeded Ambassador Alexander Avdeev, whom Francis met with on Feb. 25, 2022, during the pope’s landmark personal visit to the embassy the day after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine.
The presentation of credentials came after Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow was ready to meet again with Francis’ envoy to Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a veteran of the Catholic Church’s peace initiatives.
