Vatican Comunique on Pope's Audience with US President
(10 Jul 09 - RV) This afternoon, Friday 10 July 2009, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI
received in Audience the President of the United States of America, His Excellency
Mr. Barack H. Obama. Prior to the Audience, the President met His Eminence Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and also His Excellency Archbishop Dominique
Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.
In the course of their cordial
exchanges the conversation turned first of all to questions which are in the interests
of all and which constitute a great challenge for the future of every nation and for
the true progress of peoples, such as the defence and promotion of life and the right
to abide by one’s conscience.
Reference was also made to immigration with particular
attention to the matter of reuniting families.
The meeting focused as well
upon matters of international politics, especially in light of the outcome of the
G8 Summit. The conversation also dealt with the peace process in the Middle East,
on which there was general agreement, and with other regional situations. Certain
current issues were then considered, such as dialogue between cultures and religions,
the global economic crisis and its ethical implications, food security, development
aid especially for Africa and Latin America, and the problem of drug trafficking.
Finally, the importance of educating young people everywhere in the value of tolerance
was highlighted.