Russian president Dmitry Medvedev will meet Pope Benedict for the first time during an official visit to Italy next week. The Kremlin said the two day visit starting Wednesday is part of a year-long cultural exchange between Russia and Italy. Medvedev will also address core concerns, such as security in meetings with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and President Giorgio Napolitano. Russia began fostering relations with Italy in 2007, after then President Vladimir Putin visited the Vatican to discuss improving ties between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.