Pope receives Swiss, Kuwaiti heads of state

(May 7, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday received in the Vatican the new president of Switzerland, Doris Leuthard, who came to Rome on the occasion of the swearing-in of 31 Swiss Guards later on Thursday. The Vatican said the two leaders talked abut the swearing-in ceremony, "questions concerning social and economic life and the current international situation, with particular reference to interreligious dialogue." Later, Pope Benedict also received the emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and discussed with him about Middle East peace and interreligious dialogue. A Vatican statement after the meeting said that the "cordial discussions" turned to themes of mutual interest, such as "the promotion of peace in the Middle East and interreligious dialogue." They also noted the positive contribution of the significant Christian minority to Kuwaiti society, and the particular needs of this minority. This was the first meeting between Kuwait’s head of state and a Pope since the overwhelmingly Muslim Gulf state and the Holy See established diplomatic relations in October 1968. Of Kuwait’s 3.5 million population, 2.36 million are non-Kuwaitis, mostly immigrant workers. According to the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuwait there some 300,000 Catholics, mainly foreign workers. Additionally, there are 300,000 Hindus, 100,000 Buddhists and some 10,000 Sikhs.