Pope, French president discuss wide range of topics

Published: 2007-12-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI welcomed French President Nicolas Sarkozy to the Vatican for talks focused on Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the role of religions in society. At the beginning of a 25-minute private meeting, held without interpreters, Sarkozy asked the pope where he had learned his "impressive" French. The German pope replied that he had studied French in high school in Bavaria. A Vatican statement released after Sarkozy's meeting with the pope and a separate meeting with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state, said the discussions included the French situation, "evoking the good relations existing between the Catholic Church and the French republic, as well as the role of religions, especially of the Catholic Church, in the world." The statement said, "Particular attention was given to the international situation with reference to the future of Europe, the conflicts in the Middle East, the social and political problems of some African countries and the drama of hostages."

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