Pope Francis meets with President of Bolivia

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday received the  President of Bolivia, Juan Evo Morales Ayma, who  subsequently met with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations  with States.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office said:

“During the discussions, which took place in a cordial atmosphere, various themes were  considered regarding the current socio-economic situation of the Country, with special attention to  social policy. The parties focused on the relations between Church and State, evoking Bolivia’s  long Christian tradition and the decisive contribution of the Church to the life of the Nation.  Reference was also made to questions of common interest, such as education, healthcare and  assistance to the poor. Attention then turned to various international situations.”

President Morales came to Rome to attend a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences marking the 25th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s social encyclical "Centesimus Annus."