Vatican meets El Salvador

This morning, May 23, 2013, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the President of the Republic of El Salvador, His Excellency, Mr. Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena, was received in audience by His Holiness, Pope Francis.  Later, he met with His Eminence, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State, accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States.  During the cordial encounter, satisfaction was expressed for the good relations currently existing between the Holy See and the State of El Salvador.

In particular, we focused on the figure of the Servant of God Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, former Archbishop of San Salvador, and the importance of his testimony for the entire nation.

The contribution that the Church offers toward reconciliation and the consolidation of peace is much appreciated, as well as in the areas of charity, education, the eradication of poverty and organized crime. The Holy Father and the President also touched on some ethical issues such as the defense of human life, marriage and the family.