15 November 2016 - Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation Carlos D. Sorreta welcomed H.E. Celestino Migliore, Apostolic Nuncio to the Russian Federation, at the Philippine Embassy on November 11.

This courtesy visit comes after the Papal Nuncio’s presentation of credentials to Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 09.

The two envoys exchanged views on recent developments in international affairs.

Ambassador Sorreta noted the significant role played by the Catholic Church in Philippine society and the good bilateral relations between the Philippines and the Holy See, which dates back to 1951. He added that members of the Filipino community in Moscow are active churchgoers. They find strength and solace in their Catholic faith as they make a living in a foreign environment away from their families.

H.E. Celestino Migliore is the Titular Archbishop of Canosa. His previous diplomatic postings were in the US, Egypt, and Poland.

The Holy See and the Soviet Union formally established diplomatic relations in 1990. The following year the Holy See recognized the Russian Federation as the successor state of the USSR. In 2009, full diplomatic relations between the two sides were established. END