Pope Benedict receives Tonga prime minister

(May 21, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI received on Thursday in the Vatican the prime minister of Tonga, Feleti Vakauta Sevele and discussed various aspects of life in the south pacific island nation. A Vatican communiqué said the talks focused on the process of institutional reform in Tonga, on various aspect of the archipelago's social and economic life, and on the important contribution the Catholic Church makes in various fields of human promotion. The two leaders also exchanged opinions on the international situation, with particular reference to the political, commercial and environmental problems which the Pacific Island States are facing in a spirit of close collaboration. Prime minister Sevele of Tonga later met Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican secretary for relations with states.