Pope meets with Italian Prime Minister

This morning Pope Benedict XVI received the Prime Minister of Italy Mario Monti in a private audience.

After the pontifical audience the Prime Minister, with the ministers for Foreign and European Affairs, met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, accompanied by the Undersecretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Ettore Balestrero.

In the course of their talks, the Holy Father and the Prime Minister discussed the social situation of Italy and the challenges for the government, as well as the contribution of the Catholic Church to the life of the country. They also considered worldwide events, as well as the current situation in Europe and the Mediterranean area. Finally, they emphasized the need to protect religious minorities – and especially Christians – throughout the world.

Both parties confirmed their desire to continue collaborating in a constructive way, within the broader context of international relations.