Vatican City, Jun 1, 2009 / 04:38 pm (CNA).- Over the past few days, Pope Benedict met with the presidents of the Czech Republic and the Ukraine to discuss the relationships between each of their countries and the Vatican.  It was also announced that the Holy Father is planning a trip to the Czech Republic in September.

On Saturday, the Holy Father met with Vaclav Klaus, president of the Czech Republic, and discussed state relations, and the future of Europe, keeping in mind “the importance of the continent's cultural, spiritual and Christian heritage,”says a press release from the Vatican.

Following the meeting it was officially announced that the Holy Father will visit the Czech Republic in September.  Klaus expressed his pleasure with the visit and added that the Pope will travel to Prague, Brno and Stara Boleslav.

This morning the Holy Father met with the Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and discussed the strong relationship between the two states.  The leaders also noted the “Church’s contribution to Ukrainian society for education in Christian values and their diffusion, and of the importance of dialogue among Christians in order to promote unity, while respecting everyone and with the aim of peaceful coexistence."

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