Pope Benedict arrives in France
Television New ZealandSep 12, 2008 10:00 PM
Pope Benedict began a four-day visit to France aimed at persuading the French that religion can contribute to modern secular societies.
President Nicolas Sarkozy, who has also said he sees a positive role for faith in public life, broke with protocol and greeted the German-born pontiff as he descended from his plane at Orly airport south of the French capital.
At his side was his third wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, a glamorous Italian-born singer and former supermodel.
The two men were due to go directly to the president's Elysee Palace in central Paris and deliver short speeches the French will follow closely to see how far they advocate a role for religion in the public sphere.
France maintains a strict separation of church and state and even mentioning one's faith used to be taboo for politicians.
But religion has returned to public life in recent years and Sarkozy has taken the lead in welcoming it.
On the flight from Rome, Benedict told journalists that laicite - France's version of secularism - was not incompatible with religion.
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 7:19 AM
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