March 28, 2014 - Pope Francis received Greek president Karolos Papoulias in a private
audience the Vatican, Friday morning. Papoulias later met Vatican Secretary of State,
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, along with Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti. A brief communique by the Vatican Press Office said the cordial
talks between the two sides focused on issues of common interest, such as the legal
status of religious communities, the role of religion in society, and ecumenical collaboration.
Attention then turned to the social consequences of the worldwide economic crisis,
as well as the contribution of Greece within the European Union. Finally, concern
was expressed regarding the future presence of Christians in the Middle East, in relation
to political instability and the situations of conflict that affect various regions
of the world.
After a private meeting of some 35 minutes, the Pope and the
Greek president exchanged gifts. The Papoulis gave the Pope two volumes of “The Splendour
of Orthodoxy” and the Pope reciprocated with a tile carved with a figure of the Angel
of Peace and a copy of his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘Evangelium Gaudium,” or “The Gospel
of Joy”