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Mr Putin also congratulated Benedict XVI on the upcoming second anniversary of his pontificate on April 19, 2007.

During their telephone conversation, Mr Putin and Benedict XVI reaffirmed their mutual desire to develop ties between Russia and the Vatican, including by building on the results of the meeting between Mr Putin and the Pope on March 13, 2007 at the Vatican.

The President sent the Pope a telegram of congratulations on his birthday on April 16 and a gift – an icon.

Mr Putin’s message of congratulations reads in particular:

“Your great influence in the world and your selfless work serve the noble cause of strengthening the spiritual and moral foundations in the world and protecting the institution of the family and common Christian values in the life of modern society.

I have warm recollections of our recent conversation at the Vatican, which showed that Russia and the Vatican share similar views on a wide range of international issues and modern problems facing humanity today. Our common desire to create greater understanding between the peoples of Europe and the world in general and to develop cooperation between cultures and civilisations serves as a solid foundation for our dialogue”.