Pope Benedict XVI Set to Meet Italian Premier

(06 June 08 - RV) The UN summit on the current food crisis has concluded that global food production must be doubled by 2030 and farmers in poor countries better supported.

Leaders from 181 countries made the commitment in Rome yesterday evening at the close of the three-day conference, also agreeing to bolster humanitarian interventions to help deal with shortages and soaring prices.

The outcome of the Summit and Church-State relations will likely be on the agenda for talks between Pope Benedict XVI and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The head of government will be received by the Pope later today here at the Vatican.

Philippa Hitchen reports: