A communiqué issued by the Vatican press office noted that «during the cordial discussions, attention was focused on the positive presence of the Catholic Church in the life and history of the country, with the joint desire being expressed to strengthen existing bilateral relations.»
«Furthermore,» the noted continued, «a fruitful exchange of opinions took place on the role of Lithuania as it prepares to assume the presidency of the OSCE, as well as on the current economic and social situation, with particular reference to families and young people.»
Grybauskaitė also met with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope’s secretary of state, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states.
Some 80% of the Lithuanian population of 3.5 million are Catholic.
