This morning, at the Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of Peru, H.E. Alan García Pérez, was received in audience by His Holiness Benedict XVI, and subsequently met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and Mons. Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. The cordial conversations allowed for a fruitful exchange of opinions on issues regarding the present international situation, especially in Latin America. They dwelt on some aspects of the situation in Peru, especially the government's commitment to eradicate poverty, promote the rule of law, and safeguard the environment, as well as the collaboration between Church and State.