Pope Francis meets with Chile's President Michelle Bachelet during a private audience on June 5th

ANSA - ANSA/AFP PHOTO POOL / ALBERTO PIZZOLI

Pope Meets With President of Chile

Just a Month Before Pope’s Apostolic Visit to Latin America, They Discussed Challenges Facing Continent

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Just one month before Pope Francis’ July 5-13 apostolic visit to Latin America, he met today with the president of Chile, with whom he discussed the continent and the challenges it is facing.

According to a statement released by the Holy See, the Argentine Pontiff received the President of the Republic of Chile, Michelle Bachelet Jeria, at the Vatican, and during ‘cordial discussions,’ they discussed: “Issues of common interest such as the protection of human life, education and social peace.”
 
“In this context, emphasis was placed on the role and the positive contribution of Catholic institutions in Chilean society, especially in relation to human promotion, education and assistance to those most in need.”

The communique also stated that mention was made of existing good bilateral relations between the Parties, “in the hope that they may be further strengthened within the framework of the  provisions of international law.”

The Chilean president subsequently met with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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