DECLARATION OF HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE DIRECTOR

VATICAN CITY, FEB 21, 2001 (VIS) - The following declaration was made public late yesterday by Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls:

"In the framework of the announced meetings with political figures, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano this afternoon received Silvio Berlusconi, (president of Forza Italia).

"Today's meeting, as the others, has served to set forth the expectations of the Holy See regarding the questions relative to collaboration between Church and State at the present time."

OP;...;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20010221;Word: 90;