VATICAN CITY, DEC. 6, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Pope Benedict XVI received in audience Joachim Gauck, president of the Federal Republic of Germany at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
Shortly after, President Gauck met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Monsignor Ettore Balastrero, under-secretary for Relations with States.
In a communique released by the Holy See, the discussions that took place during the meeting emphasized the cordial relations that exist between the Holy See and the Federal Republic of Germany.
Cardinal Bertone and President Gauck also spoke regarding «Christian view of the person, as well as the challenges currently posed by globalization and the secularization of society.
«This was followed by a fruitful exchange of opinions on the international situation and the current economic crisis, especially in relation to its consequences in Europe, and the contribution that the Catholic Church may offer,» the communique stated.
