(April 14, 2011) : Pope Benedict XVI received in an audience on Thursday President
Valdis Zatlers of Latvia. A communiqué of the Holy See’s Press Office described
the brief 22- minute meeting as very cordial. It said the Pope and the president
spoke of the good relations between Latvia and the Holy See, underling also the Accord
that was signed in 2000 and the esteem with which the Catholic Church is held in
Latvia. President Zatlers thanked the Pope for the significant contribution of the
Catholic Church to the country in the field of education. At the end of the meeting,
the Pope also met the President’s wife and his delegation. President Zatlers presented
the Pontiff with a large book, the white cover of which was adorned with a metallic
cross. The Pope gave the President a medal of his pontificate.