Holy Father holds meetings with Prince Charles and President of Belarus

Vatican City, Apr 27, 2009 / 08:37 am

This morning Benedict XVI met with both Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, as well as the President of Belarus.  During both meetings he emphasized the importance of inter-cultural dialogue for promoting peace in the world.

At the Pope’s 15 minute audience with Prince Charles of Wales and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, the trio discussed matters such as “human promotion and development of peoples, environmental protection, and the importance of inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue for furthering peace and justice in the world."

Prince Charles presented the Holy Father with 12 dessert plates as well as an autographed photo of himself and the duchess. 

Pope Benedict thanked them for the gifts and gave them a picture of St. Peter’s Basilica before it was redesigned as well as a set of papal medals.

This morning the Holy Father also met with President Lukashenko of Belarus.

The two heads of state spoke about matters relating to the relationship of “faith and reason,” as well as to inter-cultural dialogue.

According to the Vatican, they also discussed “international issues associated with promoting peace and the true progress of humankind, as well as to certain internal problems of the country, questions concerning the Catholic Church in Belarus and the prospects for deeper collaboration between the two sides.”

The two also made sure to note the peaceful relationship between the Catholic and Orthodox communities within the country.