Pontiff meets Serbian, Czech leaders

(November 16, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI received Serbian president, Boris Tadic, in the Vatican on Saturday and affirmed the positive dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches in the country. A Vatican statement said during the meeting the positive state of bilateral relations between the Holy See and Serbia was highlighted. Particular attention was given to the main regional challenges and to Serbia's journey towards full integration into the European Union. The Pontiff underlined the Catholic Church's desire to contribute to Serbian society, and mentioned several "factors appropriate to ensuring her presence and activities therein."
Also on Saturday, the Holy Father received in audience Czech prime minister, Jan Fischer. The Vatican said the two leaders talked about the "good relations" between the two states, as well as the "mutual desire" to "continue constructive dialogue on bilateral themes concerning relations between the ecclesial and civil communities." The two leaders exchanged opinions on questions concerning current international relations, in particular the coming into effect of the European Union’s Treaty of Lisbon.