Vatican City, Feb 19, 2009 / 12:57 pm
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was received by Pope Benedict this morning for a meeting in which the two discussed the world financial crisis, the importance of remembering the poor and the conflicts in the Middle East.
The 35-minute meeting between the two leaders covered a lot of ground as they conversed about the "economic crisis and the duty to pursue initiatives benefiting the less-developed countries, projects of human promotion, respect for the environment and sustainable development."
A press release from the Vatican said that "hope was expressed for a renewed commitment on the part of the international community in settling ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East."