Pope Meets DRC President Kabila

(19 June 08 - RV) Pope Benedict met Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, for talks at the Vatican today.

Discussions focused on the situation in Congo's troubled eastern provinces of South and North Kivu and the imminent security and stability pact for the great lakes region.

Talks included the need for the respect for human rights, an end to the suffering of the civilian population and the construction of a more just society.

Both sides also agreed that Congo's future rested on the importance of education and training of the young, for which the Church is ready to make its contribution.

Other issues discussed included the return of Church property seized by the state in previous decades.