Catholic World News

Pope meets Belgian king, French premier October 12, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI met with Belgium's King Albert II and Queen Paola, and French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, in separate private audiences on October 10. Both European leaders were in Rome for the next day's canonization ceremonies.

In his meeting with King Albert, the Pope spoke of international affairs and human rights, particularly in Africa, the Vatican announced after the audience. King Albert was to attend the canonization of the Belgian missionary priest, Blessed Jozef Damian de Veuster-- better known as Damian of Molokai-- on Sunday.

With Francois Fillon, the Pontiff spoke of the situations in Africa and the Middle East, and the influence of the papal encyclical Caritas in Veritate on international financial affairs, as well as Church-state relations in France itself. Fillon was to attend the canonization of the French nun, Blessed Jeanne Jugan.

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• Pope Receives King of Belgium, Prime Minister of France (VIS)

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