Pope meets President of Poland on anniversary of the election of JPII
Pope Benedict today received the President of Poland in private audience here at the
Vatican. The meeting came on the 32nd anniversary of the election of the Polish born
Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla as the successor of Peter. A statement
released by the Vatican Press office noted the “happy coincidence” of the visit on
this anniversary and went on to say that both the Pope and President focused on the
importance of dialogue between Church and State, in order to promote the common good."
They also "reiterated their common desire" to see both Poland and the Holy
See " continuing to work effectively in areas of common interest, such as in education
and promoting the fundamental values of society, and stressing the importance of
protecting human life in all its phases. "
Finally, according to the statement
there was "an exchange of views on the current situation in Europe."
After
the private talks there was an exchange of gifts in a more informal atmosphere.
President
Komorowski gave the Pope a facsimile manuscript of the music of Frédéric Chopin, whose
bicentenary is being celebrated this year.
The Pope in return gave the President
a medal of his pontificate.
Before the meeting with the Holy Father, President
Komorowski participated on Saturday morning at a Mass celebrated in the Vatican Grottoes,
at the tomb of John Paul II.
After the Mass, the head of state and his wife
knelt in prayer before the tomb of the Polish Pope and laid a bouquet of white and
red flowers, the colours of Poland. Listen