Pope Benedict XVI met on Monday with the president of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, who was visiting Rome for the celebrations in honor of John Paul II, the second anniversary of his death and the closing of the diocesan phase of his cause of beatification.

During an interview for Vatican Radio’s Polish programming, Kaczynski said it was a “private meeting” during which he spoke with the Holy Father “as a member of the faithful.”

“Obviously we spoke about the cause of beatification of John Paul II.  I reiterated again the enormous significance this event will have for Poland, although we also spoke about questions related to the European Constitution and the presence of Christian roots in the Constitutional Treaty.”  He said he told the Holy Father, “We will remain faithful to our promises regarding this,” but that he could not “guarantee” the outcome.