Pope receives President of Latvia

(April 14, 2011) : Pope Benedict XVI received in an audience on Thursday President Valdis Zatlers of Latvia. A communiqué of the Holy See’s Press Office described the brief 22- minute meeting as very cordial. It said the Pope and the president spoke of the good relations between Latvia and the Holy See, underling also the Accord that was signed in 2000 and the esteem with which the Catholic Church is held in Latvia. President Zatlers thanked the Pope for the significant contribution of the Catholic Church to the country in the field of education.
At the end of the meeting, the Pope also met the President’s wife and his delegation. President Zatlers presented the Pontiff with a large book, the white cover of which was adorned with a metallic cross. The Pope gave the President a medal of his pontificate.