Story highlights Vladimir Putin, Pope Francis exchange gifts, talk about Ukraine and Middle East

Italian Prime Minister: Minsk agreement on Ukraine crisis "is our polar star"

Visit to Italy comes after G7 members criticize Russia on Ukraine

(CNN) Russian President Vladimir Putin, on a visit to Italy, said Wednesday that sanctions imposed on his home country also have cost Italian businesses millions of dollars.

The comments came after Putin met with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

The Russian leader later met with Pope Francis, who gave Putin a medallion depicting the angel of peace, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said. The Vatican called it "an invitation to build a world of solidarity and peace founded on justice."

Putin, who arrived at the Vatican an hour behind schedule, gave the pope an embroidery of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.

Lombardi said the pontiff and President talked for 50 minutes about the violence in Iraq and Syria and the crisis in Ukraine.

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