Pope receives Swiss president

Vatican May 06, 2013 - Pope Francis on Monday received in the Vatican, Swiss President, Ueli Maurer, who later met Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. Maurer was in Rome on the occasion of swearing in of the new Swiss Guards Monday evening. A Vatican communique stated that during the cordial talks the Holy See and Switzerland expressed appreciation for the commendable service of the Swiss Guards on the day new recruits take their oath. The two sides expressed their desire to improve the already good relations between them and intensify the collaboration between the Catholic Church and Switzerland. They also discussed common issues such as safeguarding human rights, the training of youth and international collaboration for the promotion of justice and peace.