Pope Francis receives President of Cyprus: statement from Holy See Press Office
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos
Anastasiades, this morning at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. A communiqué from
the Press Office of the Holy See says the Pope and the President held cordial discussions
in which they covered a number of topics, including the role of religion in society
and the importance of religious liberty. The leaders expressed satisfaction at the
resumption of negotiations to end the four-decade division of the island between Greek
and Turkish Cypriots. Below, please find the full text of the statement from the
Press Office of the Holy See:
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This
morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received the President
of the Republic of Cyprus, His Excellency Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, who subsequently went
on to meet with His Excellency Archbishop Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by
Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.
During
the cordial discussions, which highlighted the good relations between the Holy See and
the Republic of Cyprus, mention was made of several matters of common interest, such
as the positive role of religion in society and the protection of the right to
religious freedom. Satisfaction was expressed at the resumption of negotiations
aiming at the development of a shared solution to the Island’s current situation.
Finally, the Parties indicated their concern regarding the political instability
affecting the region of the Near and Middle East, which leads to great suffering on
the part of civilian populations, and shared their hope that the Christian communities
in the various countries may continue to offer their contribution to building a future
of material and spiritual wellbeing.