Pope meets with President of Equador

This morning, the Holy Father met with the President of Equador, His Excellency, Rafael Vincente Correa Delgado at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.  After his meeting with the Holy Father, the Equadorian President also met with the Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence, Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone and with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Vatican Secretary for Relations with States.

During the dialogues, which took place in a climate of cordiality, particular attention was paid to the significant contribution of the Catholic Church in the various sectors of social life within the country of Equador, and the importance of sincere ongoing dialogue and a permanent link between the Church and the governing bodies in order to address key challenges facing the people of that country.

Among the other issues which were raised was the centrality and importance of social justice and the value of solidarity and subsidiarity in the search for the common good.  Finally, some current issues in the region were also addressed, including the issue of respect for indigenous peoples, their culture and the importance of protecting the environment.