May 15, 2014 - Pope Francis on Thursday received in private audience in the Vatican
the Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mateparae, who later met Vatican Secretary
of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, along with Vatican Secretary for Relations with
States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. A Vatican press statement said that during
the cordial discussions the two sides focussed on a number of aspects of the social
and economic life of the country, as well as the valuable contribution of the Catholic
Church in various sectors of New Zealand society. There was also an exchange of opinions
on the international situation, with particular reference to regional cooperation
in various development programmes and participation in peace missions in different
parts of the world.