Pope meets Cypriot president

(March 27, 2009) Pope Benedict on Friday received in the Vatican president Demetris Christofias of Cyprus and hoped the ongoing negotiations for the unification of the Mediterranean island will bring a solution to the Cypriot question. A Vatican communiqué said the two held private talks and discussed the situation of Cyprus and its future. Christofias, a Greek Cypriot, informed the Pope of the numerous churches in the country, especially in the Turkish Cypriot north. The two leaders also shared views on international issues, especially on the African continent which Pope Benedict visited last week.
Cyprus was divided into an internationally recognized Greek Cypriot south and a breakaway Turkish Cypriot north in 1974 when Turkey invaded in response to a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The north's administration is recognized only by Turkey. Dimitris Christofias has been in talks with Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat for six months trying to hammer out an agreement to end the island's 35-year division.
Pope Benedict and the Cypriot president underscored the importance of good relations between Catholics and Orthodox and between Christians and Muslims, saying all are called to collaborate for the good of society and peaceful coexistence among people.