Friday, March 23, 2007

POPE RECEIVES THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND

VATICAN CITY, MAR 23, 2007 (VIS) - At midday today, the Holy See Press Office released the following communique concerning the audience granted by the Holy Father to Mary McAleese, president of Ireland.

  "This morning, the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience Mary McAleese, president of Ireland, accompanied by her husband and an entourage.

  "The president subsequently went on the meet Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B.

  "In the course of the discussions, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, attention turned to problems associated with the situation of the Church in Ireland, concentrating particularly on the positive start of 'Structured Dialogue' between the State and Churches - in the spirit of the new European Constitutional Treaty - as a promising way towards a positive contribution of Churches to the life of society.

  "Consideration was also given to other more general questions such as the construction of Europe and its Christian root's, and developments in the peace process in Northern Ireland.

  "Particular appreciation was expressed for Irish commitment to providing disinterested aid for the development of the poorest countries of Africa, with its White Paper on Aid'."
OP/IRELAND/MCALEESE                        VIS 20070323 (200)


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