POPE RECEIVES
2 GUESTS OF STATE
The Holy Father today received the President of the Swiss Confederation and the Emir of Kuwait in two separate audiences, described separately in communiques from the Vatican Press Office.
WITH THE SWISS PRESIDENT
This morning, the Holy Father had an audience with H.E. Madame Doris Leuthard, president of the Helvetic Confederation (Switzerland), who later met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and Mons. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.
During their cordial conversation, other than recalling the President's timely participation in the oath-taking of new Swiss Guards for the Pope today, they also discussed socio-economic issues and questions pertaining to the current international situation, with particular reference to inter-religious dialog.
The Swiss information agency was more informative:
Leuthard brings up
sex abuse with Pope
ROME,May 6 - Swiss President Doris Leuthard has discussed the issue of child sex abuse during a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
Leuthard, on a visit to the Vatican to mark the swearing in of new recruits to the pontiff’s Swiss Guard, also discussed the Swiss vote to ban the construction of minarets and the place of burkas in Swiss society.
“The Pope stressed that young people must be protected,” she told the media afterwards. “But he added that the problem of paedophilia affects not just the Church but all of society.”
She added that the Pope took the problem of sex abuse in the Church "very seriously and does not want in any way to brush this affair under the carpet".
They also discussed the role of Islam and freedom of religion, which the Pope said had to be practised throughout Europe.
“Equality and tolerance towards Christians in Islamic states would increase acceptance in our society,” Leuthard added.
Regarding the Swiss Guard, new guardsmen are sworn in every year in May in St Peter’s Square. A Mass also takes place in memory of 147 Swiss Guards who died in 1527 defending Pope Clement VII during the Sack of Rome.
The Swiss Vatican Guard is known as the smallest army in the world and comprises 110 men. It reports to the Pope and is financed by the Vatican.
WITH THE EMIR OF KUWAIT
This morning the Holy Father Benedict XVI received in audience His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait. Sheikh Sabah subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial discussions, attention turned to certain questions of mutual interest, with particular reference to the promotion of peace in the Middle East, and of inter-religious dialogue. The positive contribution that the significant Christian minority makes to Kuwaiti society was also highlighted, and consideration given to the particular needs of that minority.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 06/05/2010 21:27]