President Valdis Zatlers met with the Pope this morning, and then went on to meet with his secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
According to a Vatican communiqué, the leaders noted the «good relations between Latvia and the Holy See, also emphasized by the 2000 Agreement, and the high esteem in which the Church is held in the country.»
The communiqué noted how the international economic crisis has had «heavy repercussions» in Latvia, and how in this context, «appreciation was expressed for the significant and valid contribution the Church offers to Latvian society, not only through its initiatives in the educational and social fields, but also through the presentation of its social doctrine.»
The Pope and President Zatlers also spoke about the «importance of safeguarding traditional values and peaceful coexistence.»
Latvia’s 2.2 million people are almost 20% Lutheran and 15% Orthodox.
