President Arroyo visits Pope; invites him to Philippines
The Manila TimesTuesday, June 27, 2006
President invites Pope Benedict XVI to visit the Philippines
President Arroyo met His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican Monday, bringing news of the abolition of the death penalty in the Philippines.
It was the first time the President met the new Pope, who was installed after the death of Pope John Paul II in April 2005.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo’s meeting with the Pope reaffirms the special ties between the Philippines and the Vatican, which had strengthened over time during the papacy of John Paul II.
He said part of Mrs. Arroyo’s agenda during her audience with the Pope was to extend the country’s invitation for His Holiness to make a state visit to Manila.
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For more details and comments on President Arroyo's visit, see today's post "At the Vatican" from Amy Welborn's "Open Book":
President Gloria Arroyo of the Philippines meets with Pope Benedict
In her departure statement, Mrs. Arroyo said her decision to sign the bill abolishing the death penalty was “the best pasalubong [gift]” she could offer to the Pope.
“For the first time, I am going to have an audience with Pope Benedict XVI [at the] Vatican, and I will convey to him the support of the entire Filipino nation to his papacy. I also want to thank Congress for giving me the chance to bring to him the best gift our country can give: the abolition of the death penalty,” the President said.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 3:51 PM
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