Pope tells McAleese the World needs Northern peace process to work

The world needs the Northern Ireland peace process to work to show that Christians can co-exist together, Pope Benedict said today.

The Pontiff made his comments during a 35-minute meeting with President Mary McAleese in the Vatican.

Mrs McAleese's spokesman said after this morning's Vatican talks: "The peace process in Northern Ireland was discussed and the Pope said that the world needed this process to work and emphasised the importance of Christians working together, demonstrating that reconciliation can work."

According to President McAleese, the Pope also indicated that the Irish bishops had invited him to visit Ireland and he added: "We must see what is possible."

The President told him: "I, the Irish people and the Government would welcome this visit and support it in every way possible."

During her visit to Italy, Mrs McAleese also met the President of Italy, Giorgio Napoletano, and attended engagements at the Pontifical Irish College and the Dominican Community in Rome.

She also met Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and addressed the EU Bishops Conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.