Italian president offers Pope concert for 5^th anniversary of election

(April 30, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI was treated to a special concert Thursday evening by Italian president Giorgio Napolitano on the occasion of the 5^th anniversary of his election as head of the Catholic Church marked earlier on April 19. At the start of the concert Napolitano wished the Pope dedicating the concert to him. An Italian youth orchestra played a series of three symphonies at the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican for the occasion. While thanking the Italian president at the end of the concert, Pope Benedict also expressed his gratitude to the Italian people for their closeness to him. Later the two leaders met privately during which they exchanged opinions on important international issues, specially the situation in the Middle East and the upcoming Special Synod of Bishops for the Middle East.