Pope Benedict XVI meets the Premier of Italy, Mario Monti

(January 14.2012) Pope Benedict XVI met with the Prime Minister of Italy, Mario Monti, with his retinue, on his first official visit, Saturday morning, The premier was also accompanied by his wife Mrs Elsa Da Benedetto. In the course of the cordial colloquy, the Italian social question and the grave financial crisis the country was facing, and the efforts of the government to counteract it, were the main points of discussion. The current international framework was also considered, from Europe to the southern Mediterranean regions. Special regard was had for the safeguard of religious minorities, especially the Christian ones in difficulty in various regions of the world. The church and the state confirmed the desire to continue constructive collaboration both in Italy and on an international level. The Pope had already met the Premier and that for the first time on the tarmac of Rome’s Fiumicino airport on November 18^th 2011, just before flying to the West African state of Benin. The Pope then had wished Premier Mario Monti success in his task of cutting the country's debt, officials said. Saturday the Pope and Premier had a colloquy of 25 minutes privately before the rest of the retinue were admitted to the Pope’s presence. 69-year old Mario Monti was sworn in as the head of a technocratic government on 16 November 2011, just a week after having been appointed a Senator for Life by the President of Italy, Giorgio Napoletano. Monti had served as a European Commissioner and had had other European responsibilties. Jesuit Fr Frederico Lombardi testified to the cordial aspect of the meeting. The Pope congratulated the premier for the courageous steps he has taken so far to help Italy tide over the serious financial crisis. The Premier had also almost an hour’s talk with the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The church has assured the Premier of unstinting support.