Pope meets Australian, N. Korean leaders

(July 10, 2009) The summit of the Group of Eight in L'Aquila, Italy, offered some world leaders the opportunity to squeeze in a visit to meet with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican. The pope then used the occasion to present leaders with a special copy of his first social encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth"), which the Vatican released on Tuesday, the day before the G-8 summit began. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd of Australia and President Lee Myung-Bak of South Korea met the Pope on Thursday, and both subsequently met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Australia is not part of the Group of Eight industrialized nations, but was among the other countries Italy invited. A Vatican communiqué reported that during Rudd's talk with the Holy Father, "mention was made of the Holy Father's trip to Sydney in July 2008 for World Youth Day, recollecting the great spirit of collaboration between the ecclesiastical and civil authorities that characterized the organization of that event." Attention also focused on the current international and regional situation, with reference to respect for religious liberty and environmental problems.
Later Pope Benedict met South Korean president, Lee Myung-Bak, and the two reviewed the tense political situation in the Korean peninsula. North Korea has put the peninsula at the center of world attention by conducting a nuclear test in May, and several ballistic missile launches since April. A Vatican communiqué said the 30-minute "cordial discussions provided an opportunity for an exchange of ideas on certain themes of common interest, among them the effects of the world economic crisis, especially on the poorest countries, and the political and social situation on the Korean peninsula." Mention was also made of the good relations between South Korea and the Holy See, as well as of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, and of co-operation between Church and State in the educational and social fields."