VATICAN CITY, OCT. 16, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Defending the right to life and the need for moral education were two key topics today at a meeting between Benedict XVI and Prince Albert II of Monaco, the Vatican reported.
The Vatican press office reported after the audience that in the course of the discussions, «attention turned to themes of mutual interest including the importance of a solid cultural and moral formation of the young and the defense of life in all its phases.»
According to the note, the Holy Father and Albert II also touched on «certain aspects of the current international situation, such as the integral development of peoples and the protection of natural resources and the environment.»
The prince also met with the Pope’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and the secretary for relations with states, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
Stem cells
Albert II is patron of the 2nd International Congress on Responsible Stem Cell Research, which will be held next month in Monaco.
The congress, organized by the World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations, will take place Nov. 26-28. The Pontifical Academy for Life, the Bioethical Consultative Committee of Monaco, and the Foundation Jérôme Lejeune are co-organizers.
The theme of the congress is «Adult Somatic Stem Cells: New Perspectives.»
The first congress took place in Rome in 2006, and gathered more than 400 participants to discuss cell therapy research from adult and cord blood stem cells.
Grace Kelly
Prince Albert II’s visit to Rome coincided with the official opening Thursday of the exposition «The Grace Kelly Years: Princess of Monaco.»
The exposition, featuring the prince’s mother, opened for the public today, and will be in Rome through Feb. 28 at the Palazzo Ruspoli.
Kelly was a Hollywood actress who retired from filmmaking at the age of 26 to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco. She died in 1982 at the age of 52.
