Other events in Baltic States

Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite accepted letters of credence from the newly appointed Apostolic Nuncio Pedro Lopez Quintana, reported BC the presidential press service.

During their meeting, the President and the Apostolic Nuncio reviewed close cooperation and the well-established legal relations between Lithuania and the Vatican. Lithuania is the only state in Central and Eastern Europe where the status of the Church is fully defined.

They discussed common values that are cherished by the European Union and the Holy See: peace, human dignity and democracy.

The Holy See in a statement urged to respect international law regarding the developments in Ukraine, and not to commit actions causing bloodshed. The President noted the importance of this position.

They also talked about the canonization of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII which will take place on April 27. The canonization will be attended by President Dalia Grybauskaite.

Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana was born in 1953 in northern Spain. He is the fifth apostolic nuncio to Lithuania. After completing studies in canon law, he joined the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1984. He served in the Apostolic Nunciatures of Madagascar, the Philippines and India. Since 2013 he worked in the Vatican's Secretariat of State. Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana speaks English, Italian, French, and Portuguese.