2014-03-28 15:33:48

Pope receives Greek president


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”








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