Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – The collaboration between Church and State and defense of life were the main topics covered in the meeting that the Holy Father Benedict XVI held yesterday with President of Peru, Alan García Pérez. The Peruvian Head of State was received in the private library of the Pope in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, where there was “a fruitful exchange of opinions on questions concerning the current international situation, especially in the region," said a statement released by the Holy See Press Office.
President Garcia, having presented the Pope with the greeting of the people of Peru, confirmed "the Peruvian government's commitment to the life and democracy, and its struggle to eradicate poverty." They also spoke of "cooperation between the Church and the State" and analyzed some aspects of the situation in Peru, particularly as regards the human development and environmental protection.
The President of Peru presented Benedict XVI with a fur and woolen scarf saying that it might be useful to the Pope when it is cold in Rome. The Holy Father presented him with a gold medal of his pontificate. The Peruvian President then met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. Peru has an area of 1,285,215 square kilometers and a population of about 28 million inhabitants, of which over 85% are Catholics. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 01/12/2009)
