DECLARATION ON AUDIENCE WITH PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE

VATICAN CITY, DEC 12, 2002 (VIS) - Joaquin Navarro-Valls, director of the Holy See Press Office, made the following declaration today at midday:

"Today, Thursday December 12, the Holy Father received in audience S.R. Nathan, president of Singapore.

"After the pontifical audience, the same head of State met with Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, secretary for Relations with States.

"These conversations allowed for an exchange of opinions on the happy state of relations between the Church and the State and on initiatives of cooperation on cultural issues.

"The necessity for a faithful inter-religious dialogue, which would contribute to the peace and stability of the region and the world, was discussed."

OP;AUDIENCEPRESIDENT SINGAPORE;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20021212;Word: 120;