The Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, and Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Nikola Selakovic took part in an event at the Pontifical Lateran University marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

In a tweet, Selakovic announced the “intensification” of Vatican-Serbian relations, and he told the state news agency Tanjug that “the Holy See was providing principled support to Serbia in terms of the preservation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.” Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, and half the world’s nations, including the US, recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Serbia (map), which has 7.1 million people, is 85% Orthodox, 5% Catholic, and 3% Muslim. Kosovo (map), which has 1.9 million people, is 93% Muslim and 6% Christian.