Pope meets with German President

(Vatican Radio) Full text of the communiqué of the Holy See Press Office on the Audience of the President of the Federal German Republic
This morning, Thursday 6 December, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father
Benedict XVI received in audience the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim
Gauck, who subsequently went on to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone
S.D.B., accompanied by Msgr. Ettore Balastrero, under secretary for Relations with States.

The discussions highlighted the cordial nature of bilateral relations; attention was given to
the Christian view of the person, as well as the challenges currently posed by globalisation and
the secularisation of society.

This was followed by a fruitful exchange of opinions on the international situation and the
current economic crisis, especially in relation to its consequences in Europe, and the contribution
that the Catholic Church may offer.