PRESS OFFICE ON VISIT BY PRESIDENT CIAMPI

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - The following declaration was made this afternoon by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls on the visit earlier today by Italian President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi to Pope John Paul II:

"Today, Tuesday October 19, 1999, His Holiness John Paul II received Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, president of the Italian Republic, accompanied by an official delegation.

"For the occasion the Holy Father addressed an important speech to the head of State. The speech is published separately together with the Italian President's reply.

"Also published is the speech with which Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano presented the illustrious guest to the diplomatic corps.

"In the course of discussions, the Pope and the cardinal secretary of state once again highlighted the need for collaboration between Church and State in promoting the moral values which form the basis of society, as the Pope said in his address: 'Pluralist State does not mean agnostic State.'
"In this context, the exchanges dwelt particularly on promoting the family and on the education of youth. Precisely in order to meet the rights of the family and of the young, the question was again raised of the need for effective educational liberty in keeping with the model already commonly accepted throughout the European Community."

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