Pope Benedict XVI receives Chile's President Sebastian Pinera

Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday received the president of the Republic of Chile, Sebastian Pinera, at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, where the two spoke for nearly half an hour, and exchanged gifts: Pope Benedict received a silver thurible that is a copy of one in use in the Cathedral of Santiago de Chile, and President Pinera received Pontifical Medals.

A statement from the Press Office of the Holy See says the Pope and the President held cordial discussions that focused on questions of mutual interest, such as the protection of human life and the family, aid for integral development, the fight against poverty, respect for human rights, social justice and peace.

The statement goes on to say the Holy Father and President Pinera also considered the general situation in Latin America, and noted that that the views of the Holy See and the Chilean government on the fundamental values of human coexistence, converge.

They also stressed the positive role Catholic institutions play in Chilean society, especially in the areas of human promotion and education.

Following his meeting with the Holy Father, President Pinera went on to meet with the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, who was accompanied by the secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.