Pope receives Guatemalan President

February 16, 2013: Pope Benedict XVI received Otto Fernando Pérez Molina, the President of the Republic of Guatemala, on Saturday in the Vatican.

The talks, which were held in a cordial atmosphere, examined the good relations between the State of Guatemala and the Holy See, stated a communique from the Press office of the Holy See. The President, in particular, appreciated the contribution of the Church to the development of the country, especially in the area of education, the promotion of human and spiritual values​​, and the social and charitable activities. Special mention was made about the recent earthquake that affected the population.

Some issues affecting the people of Guatemala, namely, poverty, drug trafficking, organized crime and migration, were also discussed, and both sides agreed to continue to work together in solving them. The talk also focused on the importance of the defense of human life from the moment of conception.
The President later met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.