Pontiff Meets With Monaco's Prince Albert II

Pontiff Meets With Monaco's Prince Albert II
(Zenit.org)
Defending the right to life and the need for moral education were two key topics today at a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Vatican reported. The Vatican press office reported after the audience that in the course of the discussions, "attention turned to themes of mutual interest including the importance of a solid cultural and moral formation of the young and the defence of life in all its phases." According to the note, the Holy Father and Albert II also touched on "certain aspects of the current international situation, such as the integral development of peoples and the protection of natural resources and the environment." The prince also met with the Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. Prince Albert II's visit to Rome coincided with the official opening Thursday of the exposition "The Grace Kelly Years: Princess of Monaco." Monaco is also hosting the 2nd International Congress on Responsible Stem Cell Research, which will be held next month in Monaco and Albert II is patron of the Congress. The theme of the congress is "Adult Somatic Stem Cells: New Perspectives."