A History of Russian Presidents at the Vatican

The Holy See and the Russian Federation vowed to establish full diplomatic ties, the Vatican said Thursday, after a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev. The Vatican called the meeting “cordial.” Ties between the Vatican and Russia have historically been strained, because of the cold war and the centuries-old rift between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. In spite of improved ties, Vatican officials said an official visit to Russia was not likely, The Associated Press reported.

Watch this video from "Rome Reports" about the history of Russia and the Vatican.