VATICAN CITY, MAR 6, 2004 (VIS) - The following statement was given this morning by the vice director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Ciro Benedettini, C.P., on the visit today to Pope John Paul by German President Johannes Rau:
"This morning the Holy Father received Johannes Rau, president of the Federal Republic of Germany, accompanied by his wife and an entourage. After his conversation with the Holy Father, the president was received by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State. Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, secretary for Relations with States, and Gerhard Friedrich Karl Westdickenberg, German ambassador to the Holy See, were also present.
"In the course of the conversation, there was an exchange of opinions on the relations between Church and State in Germany and on the importance of religious values in the life of peoples, with particular reference to the desire of Catholics in Europe - who make up almost 80% of the total population - to see the historic presence of Christianity in the life of the continent recognized.
"During the encounter, the Cardinal Secretary of State gave President Rau the Grand Collar of the Order of Pius IX, reformed by Pius XII, in recognition of his contribution to the good relations between Church and State in Germany."
OP/PRESIDENT GERMANY/BENEDETTINI VIS 20040308 (210)
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