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Saint Vincent de Paul
Roman Catholic Church
979 Avenue C -
Bayonne, New Jersey 07002
(201) 436-2222 Fax:(201) 437-5235
Founded 1894
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[Pope Benedict XVI]
  Pope
Benedict XVI
Apostolic Journey to the United States
April 15 - 20, 2008
Joint Statement of the Holy See and the
United States of America
At the end of the private meeting between the Holy Father Benedict XVI
and U.S. President George W. Bush, the Holy See and the Office of the
President of the United States of America released a joint declaration:
President Bush, on behalf of all Americans, welcomed the Holy Father,
wished him a happy birthday, and thanked him for the spiritual and moral
guidance, which he offers to the whole human family. The President wished
the Pope every success in his Apostolic Journey and in his address at the
United Nations, and expressed appreciation for the Pope’s upcoming visit
to "Ground Zero" in New York.
During their meeting, the Holy Father and the President discussed a number
of topics of common interest to the Holy See and the United States of
America, including moral and religious considerations to which both
parties are committed: the respect of the dignity of the human person; the
defense and promotion of life, matrimony and the family; the education of
future generations; human rights and religious freedom; sustainable
development and the struggle against poverty and pandemics, especially in
Africa. In regard to the latter, the Holy Father welcomed the United
States’ substantial financial contributions in this area. The two
reaffirmed their total rejection of terrorism as well as the manipulation
of religion to justify immoral and violent acts against innocents. They
further touched on the need to confront terrorism with appropriate means
that respect the human person and his or her rights.
The Holy Father and the President devoted considerable time in their
discussions to the Middle East, in particular resolving the
Israel-Palestinian conflict in line with the vision of two states living
side-by-side in peace and security, their mutual support for the
sovereignty and independence of Lebanon, and their common concern for the
situation in Iraq and particularly the precarious state of Christian
communities there and elsewhere in the region. The Holy Father and the
President expressed hope for an end to violence and for a prompt and
comprehensive solution to the crises which afflict the region.
The Holy Father and the President also considered the situation in Latin
America with reference, among other matters, to immigrants, and the need
for a coordinated policy regarding immigration, especially their humane
treatment and the well being of their families. |