"Lithuania can be proud of the harmonious cooperation with the Catholic Church in the cultural, educational, social and many other areas, in view of the spiritual and material well-being for every person and society at large," said Prime Minister Mr Butkevičius during the meeting.
Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi was appointed an Apostolic Nuncio to the Baltic States in 2009. The Archbishop earned great respect not only in the Lithuanian Catholic community but also in the general public and among the foreign diplomats accredited to Vilnius.
During the term of office of Apostolic Nuncio Luigi Bonazzi, an agreement was signed between the Republic of Lithuania and the Holy See on the recognition of qualifications concerning higher education. In addition, six Catholic bishops were appointed in Lithuania.
The beginning of the relations between Lithuania and the Apostolic See dates back to the middle of the 13th century, the times of King Mindaugas. Later on these ties were developing and becoming stronger. The Holy See did not recognise Lithuania's Soviet occupation – the Lithuanian diplomatic representation to the Holy See was active throughout the entire time, and the Lithuanian programmes were being played on the Vatican radio. After the war, the St. Casimir's Lithuanian College was established in Rome; in 1970, a Lithuanian chapel was consecrated in the Vatican St Peter's Basilica. The diplomatic relations between the Republic of Lithuania and the Holy See were renewed in 1991.
