Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Church and State Can Respect Each Other, Says Pope

Points to Italy as Example of Coexistence

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 7, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Italy's presidential palace and the Vatican are two symbols of mutual respect for the sovereignty of the state and the Church, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope affirmed this Saturday when he visited the Quirinal Palace, Italy's official presidential residence. He was returning the visit President Giorgio Napolitano made to the Vatican in late 2006.

Responding to the president's greeting, the Holy Father recalled how "at a certain moment in history, this palace became almost a sign of contradiction as, on the one hand, Italy longed to become a unified state and, on the other, the Holy See was concerned with maintaining its own independence as a guarantee of its universal mission. [...] I am referring to the 'Roman question,' which came to an end with the signing of the Lateran Pacts on Feb. 11, 1929."

The Bishop of Rome said his visit served "to confirm the fact that the Quirinal and the Vatican are not two hills that ignore one another or face one another acrimoniously; rather that they are places symbolizing mutual respect for the sovereignty of the state and of the Church, ready to cooperate to promote and serve the integral good of human beings and the peaceful continuance of social coexistence."
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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 2:42 PM