Lebanese prime minister, pope discuss religious freedom

Published: 2006-02-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- A week after encouraging Christian and Muslim leaders in his country to promote tolerance and calm, Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora met with Pope Benedict XVI. The Vatican said that during their 20 minutes alone Feb. 16 the pope and prime minister discussed "the common commitment to working to educate the populations in reconciliation and peace, respect for human rights and, particularly, religious freedom." "Special consideration was reserved to the situation of Christians" in Lebanon and "to the contribution they intend to make to the progress of the country," the statement said. After meeting Pope Benedict, the prime minister also met with Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state.

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