Pope meets South African president, discusses peace, moral issues

Published: 2005-05-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI met with South African President Thabo Mbeki and discussed issues of peace and morality on the African continent. The two leaders spoke privately for 15 minutes May 6, then posed for photos and exchanged gifts. The pope greeted Mbeki's wife and eight advisers individually, speaking in English and handing out papal medallions. A Vatican statement said that during their one-on-one talks Mbeki illustrated the situation in South Africa and its relations with other African states. Mbeki was in Italy to build economic, political and moral support for his efforts to promote good government and outside investment in Africa. The Vatican said the pope emphasized the role South Africa can play in promoting peace throughout the entire continent.

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