JOHN PAUL II RECEIVES PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 12, 2001 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls released the following declaration this afternoon:

"At 11 this morning, Friday, October 12, the Holy Father received in audience Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias, president of the Republic of Venezuela. The president then visited Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs, accompanied by Dr. Alfonso Davila, Venezuelan foreign minister, and Dr. Ignacio Quintana, ambassador of Venezuela to the Holy See.
"During the meetings, there was an exchange of opinions on the current international situation, on the shared commitment to rejecting the scourge of terrorism, and on the need for collaboration between peoples.

"Then, the current relations between Church and State in Venezuela were examined. The expectations of the Holy See regarding the life of the Church in Venezuela were illustrated to our honored guest, in particular those concerning laws on education and worship, while in general those concerning cooperation between religious and civil authorities in the social milieux as well, for the good of the Venezuelan people."

OP;AUDIENCE PRESIDENT;...;VENEZUELA; CHAVEZ;VIS;20011012;Word: 190;