Pope discusses Christians, Middle East peace with Saudi Arabia's king

Published: 2007-11-06

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Interreligious dialogue, peace in the Middle East and the life of Christians living in Saudi Arabia were on the agenda when Pope Benedict XVI met King Abdullah Aziz of Saudi Arabia. After his audience with the pope Nov. 6, the king also had a separate meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. In the context of expressing hope for "the prosperity of all the country's inhabitants," the Vatican said it also raised the issue of the "positive and hardworking presence of Christians" in Saudi Arabia, which prohibits the public expression of any faith other than Islam. As king, the Saudi Arabian ruler also is the guardian of Islam's sacred mosque in Mecca, where the founder of Islam, Mohammed, was born, and of Medina, where Mohammed's tomb is located. Pope Benedict greeted the king by extending both hands for a double handshake and then led the king into his library. The pope and the king spent about 30 minutes behind closed doors, speaking with the help of two translators.

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