Meets With Sudanese President
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 14, 2007 (Zenit.org).- When receiving Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Benedict XVI expressed hope that upcoming U.N.-backed peace talks will end the humanitarian crisis in the country's western region of Darfur.
Today's audience took place in Castel Gandolfo. Peace negotiations are set to begin Oct. 27 between the Sudanese government and rebel forces, to be held in neighboring Libya.
More than 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been uprooted since ethnic conflict began between African rebels in Darfur and the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in 2003.
The Holy See said in a communiqué: "Discussions focused on the country's political and religious situation, with particular reference to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and to the situation in Darfur.
"On this matter, very positive views were expressed concerning fresh peace negotiations for Darfur."
"It is the Holy See's heartfelt hope," said the statement, "that these negotiations prove successful in order to put an end to the suffering and insecurity of those peoples, ensuring them the humanitarian assistance to which they have the right, and initiating development projects. Attention also turned to the regional aspects of the crisis."
Life and family
The statement said that "the defense of life and of the family" was also discussed, as well as the "respect and promotion of human rights including the fundamental right of religious freedom."
The Holy See continued: "[T]he importance of inter-religious dialogue and of collaboration between believers in all religions -- in particular Christians and Muslims -- for the promotion of peace and the common good.
"In this context, the positive role of the Catholic Church and her institutions in Sudanese society was reiterated, especially in the field of education."
Some 15 people accompanied Bashir, including a Christian representative, who at the end of the audience asked the Holy Father for his blessing for himself, and for some crucifixes and rosaries that he will take to the faithful in Sudan.
The president met as well with Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states, who from 2002-2006 served as apostolic nuncio in Sudan.
Benedict XVI has spoken out on various occasions for a solution to the situation in Darfur. On June 1 the Pope spoke to the Sudan ambassador to the Holy See of the need for "a culture of dialogue and negotiation, so as to arrive to a political solution of the conflict, which respects the cultural, ethnic and religious minorities."
ZE07091408 - 2007-09-14