Pope meets President McAleese

Pope Benedict XVI today met with Irish President Mary McAleese, staying on at the Vatican after his general audience for the talks before flying back to his summer retreat south of Rome.

The Vatican didn’t release the text of Benedict’s remarks. When Pope John Paul II met with McAleese in 2003, he told her Ireland had an “essential role” to play in affirming the Christian identity of Europe.

Benedict has often stressed the need for Europe to recognise its Christian heritage.

Benedict also met today with the Prime Minister of Madagascar, Jacques Sylla, before flying by helicopter back to Castel Gandolfo, in the hills south of Rome.