(01 June 09 - RV) The Holy See Press Office released the following communique at midday
today: "This morning,
the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Viktor Yushchenko, president of
Ukraine. Subsequently the president, accompanied by Volodymyr Khandogiy, his ad interim
foreign minister, went on to meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.
and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States. "During
the cordial discussions attention focused on the international situation. At the bilateral
level, the good relations between Ukraine and the Holy See were noted with pleasure,
as were the prospects for increased collaboration in the cultural and social fields.
While expressing the desire to find equitable solutions to outstanding questions between
State and Church, mention was also made of the Catholic Church's contribution to Ukrainian
society for education in Christian values and their diffusion, and of the importance
of dialogue among Christians in order to promote unity, while respecting everyone
and with the aim of peaceful coexistence".