Pope receives Hungarian PM, Croatian President

(November 13, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI on Friday received Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai of Hungary in the Vatican and discussed relations between the Holy See and Hungary and between ecclesial and civil communities. Both the leaders also underscored that importance of following the path of dialogue through proper organs. The Pope and the Hungarian prime minister exchanged views on current international issues, such as the financial crisis in the light of the Pope’s encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate”, and Hungary’s 6-month presidency in the European Union in 2011.
Earlier on Thursday the Pope received Croatian President Stjepan Mesic discussed with the Catholic tradition in Croatia. The Vatican said the two leaders focused on the situation in the region of former Yugoslavia, including "the principal challenges it is facing, and the factors that favour its stability and promote peace." The Pope and the president discussed the "ancient and living Catholic tradition of Croatia [... and] the importance of respecting this identity and of promoting the common good through constructive dialogue between the government authorities and the episcopate, and with all components of society."