Pope accepts Austrian president's invitation to visit in 2007

Published: 2006-10-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Austrian President Heinz Fischer formally invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit Austria next September for the celebration of the 850th anniversary of the Shrine of Our Lady of Mariazell. "The Holy Father willingly accepted" the invitation offered during his Oct. 5 meeting with Fischer, said a statement from the Vatican press office. Fischer told the pope the Austrian people were pleased that he promised to visit the shrine next year, adding that he seconded the Austrian church's invitation "officially and very cordially in the name of the Republic of Austria." The Vatican statement said that during their 30-minute private meeting the pope and president also discussed "themes of particular importance in today's global context, such as the promotion of dialogue between cultures and religions, particularly between Christianity and Islam," and the need to condemn terrorism.

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