Pope meets Italian President

(Nov. 20, 2006) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday received Italian president, Giorgio Napoletano, in the Vatican and urged for closer mutual respect and collaboration between the Church and the Italian state for the good of the people. This was Napoletano’s first official meeting with Pope Benedict after he assumed office on May 15 this year. The Pope and Napolitano met in private fro some 25 minutes after which the Italian delegation, that included Massimo D’Alema, the Italian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister, was introduced to the Pope.
A Vatican release said the two heads of state expressed satisfaction over good relations between the Holy See and Italy as well as between the Church and the Italian state. With regard to respect for religious freedom and autonomy of the ecclesial and civil community and reciprocal collaboration, the Vatican communique said, Italian Catholics will continue contributing to the dignity of man, the protection of the family and the common good of society. Besides this, the Pope and the Italian president also shared opinions on international affairs, such as the Middle East, European integration and the problems of Africa.
In an address to the Italian president, the Pope said, “the Church and state, though completely distinct, are both called, according to their respective mission, means and ends, to serve man, who, at the same time is beneficiary and participant in the salvific mission of the Church as well as a citizen of the state.’ While affirming that the Church, by her nature and mission, is neither a political agent nor does it intend to be one, the Pope said that she has a profound interest in the welfare of the political community. He pointed out that it is in man that the church and state meet and collaborate, the better to promote his integral good. However, he clarified that this solicitude for the good of citizens cannot be limited only to a few aspects of the person, such as physical health, economic welfare, intellectual formation or social relations. The state is faced with man who also has a religious dimension that consists above all in his free inner acts that reach out to God. Pope Benedict hoped the Italian nation will continue in the path of authentic progress and also be able to offer to the international community her precious contribution, always promoting those human and Christian values which are the mainstay of her history, her culture and her ideal, juridical and artistic patrimony… In this task, the Pope promised the generous contribution of the Catholic Church… After the meeting with the Pope, the Italian president was received by Vatican Secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in the presence of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. Before leaving the Vatican, Napoletano visited St. Peter’s Basilica and stood briefly at the tomb of St. Peter.