Pope
and Italian Premier Discuss Sacredness of Life
Berlusconi Says Both Are Government Priorities
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 6, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Italian
prime minister told Benedict XVI that the sacredness of
life and family are priorities of the country's
government.
The Vatican press office announced that the Pope
received in audience today Silvio Berlusconi, who was
accompanied by Gianni Letta and Paolo Bonaiuti,
undersecretaries of state to the Presidency of the
Council of Ministers.
Berlusconi and Letta met privately with the Holy Father
for 40 minutes.
"In the course of the cordial discussions various
questions concerning the situation in Italy and the
Catholic Church's contribution to the life of the
country were examined," the Vatican reported.
The statement continued: "Attention also turned to
certain matters associated with the implementation of
the current agreements between the Holy See and Italy.
"Finally some aspects of the international situation
were considered, such as the situation in the Middle
East and the prospects for the spiritual, ethical and
social development of the European continent."
"The two sides reiterated their desire to continue their
constructive collaboration at the bilateral level and in
the context of the international community," the text
concluded.
Cordial
Media reports say the meeting was cordial, with
Berlusconi kissing Benedict XVI's ring at the beginning
of the encounter.
Upon greeting Letta, the Pope said, "I greet an old
friend -- young, but old." Turning to Bonaiuti, the Holy
Father said, "I meet him in person. I always see him on
television."
Berlusconi's office said in a statement that the talks
were "cordial," and that they discussed the situation in
Lebanon, the progress of the Middle East peace process,
and relationships with Russia and China.
The statement added that particular attention was paid
to the "food crisis," which is the topic of a
U.N.-sponsored food summit in Rome this week.
The prime minister's office reported that Berlusconi
also told the Holy Father that "the values of liberty
and tolerance, and the sacredness of human life and the
family," are priorities of the Italian government.
After the meeting, Berlusconi met with the Pontiff's
secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and the
secretary for relations with states, Archbishop
Dominique Mamberti.
The last time the Pope and Berlusconi met at the Vatican
was in November 2005.
