“This is the European Year against Poverty and Social Exclusion. This visit is an acknowledgement of the key role played by the Catholic Church in the fight against these two evils”. This is how te President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, comments the confirmation of the private audience granted him by Pope Benedict XVI on 25th October in the Vatican.
”The fight against poverty and social exclusion requires a partnership between all players involved – Buzek states -. The Catholic Church does not only provide shelter and comfort to social outcasts, it also helps spread a strong message of solidarity, one of the fundamental principles of the European Union. At a time of economic distress, this is a crucial message”.
The Polish politician adds: “This meeting with the Pope is set within the context of Article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty, which provides for consistent dialogue between the EU and the Churches. The Union appreciates the contribution of religion and the different confessions in our society”.
Buzek will meet Pope Benedict on Monday, late in the morning; this will be followed by a meeting with the Secretary of State, cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, a meeting with the ambassadors of the 27 member states io the Holy See, and finally a meeting with Matthew Festing, Grand Master of the Order of Malta.