Vatican City, Jan 21, 2008 / 08:40 am
In the past few days, the Holy Father has been engaged in diplomatic meetings with the presidents of the Republic of Togo and East Timor to discuss the happenings in their respective countries.
While meeting with Faure Gnassingbe, the president of the Republic of Togo on Saturday, the Pontiff discussed the strong relations “that exist between the Holy See and Togo, with particular emphasis on the contribution Catholics make to the integral progress of the Togolese people. The need to achieve complete national reconciliation was underlined as was the urgent importance of bringing aid to the numerous refugees and victims of last October's floods.”
Pope Benedict also met with the President of the Republic of East Timor Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta to discuss the “cooperation between the Catholic Church and the State in the fields of education, healthcare, and the struggle against poverty.”
“The political and social situation of the country was also examined, with particular emphasis given to the process of national reconciliation and to the support of the international community for the consolidation of democratic institutions.”