Pope receives Bolivian president

(May 17, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI on Monday received Bolivian president Evo Morales in a private audience in the Vatican and discussed with him current international, regional and environmental issues. Morales later met Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti. A Vatican note said that during the cordial talks there was a fruitful exchange of opinions on current international and regional issues, and on the need to develop greater social awareness for the protection of the environment. The two leaders also discussed Church-state collaboration in Bolivia, particularly in the field education, healthcare, social policies and the defence of the rights of the weakest in society.