Vatican statement on meeting of Pope Francis and President Obama
(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Press Office has released a statement on Thursday morning’s
meeting between Pope Francis and U.S President Barack Obama. The statement notes that
the two leaders discussed “current international themes” and expressed the hope that
“in areas of conflict there would be respect for humanitarian and international law
and a negotiated solution between the parties involved.” The statement goes on
to say that in the context of bilateral relations between the U.S. and the Holy See,
the Pope and the President discussed “questions of particular relevance for the Church
in that country, such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and
conscientious objection, as well as the issue of immigration reform.” Finally
the statement notes that Pope Francis and President Obama spoke of a “common commitment
to the eradication of human trafficking. Listen to our report:
Please
find below the full English text of the statement released by the Holy See press office
on Thursday:
This morning, 27 March 2014, the Hon. Barack H. Obama, President
of the United States of America, was received in audience by His Holiness Pope Francis,
after which he met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State,
and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. During
the cordial meetings, views were exchanged on some current international themes and
it was hoped that, in areas of conflict, there would be respect for humanitarian and
international law and a negotiated solution between the parties involved. In the
context of bilateral relations and cooperation between Church and State, there was
a discussion on questions of particular relevance for the Church in that country,
such as the exercise of the rights to religious freedom, life and conscientious objection,
as well as the issue of immigration reform. Finally, the common commitment to the
eradication of trafficking of human persons in the world was stated.