Pope Benedict XVI receives the President of the European Council

Pope Benedict XVI received the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, this Saturday here at the Vatican. Below is the full text of the communiqué released by the Press Office of the Holy See following their meeting.

Today 12 November 2011, His Holiness Benedict XVI received in audience Herman Van
Rompuy, president of the European Council. The president subsequently went on to meet with
Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
The discussions, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, provided an
opportunity for a fruitful exchange of opinions on the international situation, and on the
contribution the Catholic Church wishes to make to the European Union.
In the course of the meeting, attention also turned to the promotion of human rights and, in
particular, of religious freedom.