Europe; religious freedom in the world; the economic crisis; problems in Italy; unemployment rates and social cohesion; these were the topics featuring in the agenda for the meetings of the Prime Minister Mario Monti in the Vatican.
It was a matter-of-fact, but also a very ‘tall’ agenda, which had been meticulously drafted and agreed upon by Italy and the Holy See.
The Premier who had been granted an audience with Benedict XVI, talked privately with the Pope for over half an hour, he then held another private meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone before the respective delegations were admitted in, which is quite unusual for this type of occasion.
Monti was accompanied by his wife Elsa, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giuliomaria Terzi di Sant’Agata, by the Minister of European Affairs Enzo Moavero Milanesi, by the Cabinet Under Secretary Antonio Catricalà, by the Italian Ambassador to the Vatican Francesco Maria Greco, by the Secretary- general of the Prime Minister's Office Manlio Strano, by the Deputy Secretary-general Federico Silvio Toniato and by the ecclesiastical advisor to the Italian Embassy in the Vatican Monsignor Marco Ceccarelli.
The Vatican Undersecretary for the Relations with States, Ettore Balestrero was present during the meeting between Monti and Bertone.
The Pope was waiting for the Premier in the library.
When Monti arrived and sat down opposite the Pope, Ratzinger said to him, “you have just returned from Germany right?” the Premier replied “ yes, the weather wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t too cold”.
Then The Pope with a clear reference to the situation facing this new government in Italy added “ You have begun well, but in a situation that is very difficult, almost impossible to solve”.
Monti replied: “It was important to try and appear determined from the very beginning”.
The meeting carried on in private.
Later when the members of the Italian delegation were introduced to the Pope, photographers and journalists were also admitted in again.
Monti, his wife Elsa and Toniato - the young Deputy Secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s office who has in practice taken on the role Gianni Letta used to have as far as the coordination between the Vatican and the Church in Italy is concerned – did not kiss the Pope’s hand, while Minister Terzi and Minister Moavero did.
Monti gave a present to the Pope, a print of the nautical Atlas by Fracesco Ghisolfi. The replica had been made by the State Printing Office.
He also gave the Pope a copy of the book he wrote in 1992 ‘Il governo dell’economia e della moneta Contributi per un’Italia europea’ (the management of the economy and of the currency. Taxes for Italy in Europe).
“It is a book on the management of the ‘world’s economy’. The themes in the book reflect the spirit of what we have just discussed” said Monti.
The Premier mentioned that in the same year the then-Cardinal Ratzinger published a book entitled ‘A Turning-point for Europe’.
The Pope too gave Monti two presents, the usual wooden pen whose shape recalls the spiral columns of St Peter’s altar sculpted by Bernini and a 16th Century print showing St Peter’s square when Michelangelo was building the dome.
A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office reads “The talks were friendly and covered various subjects, from the social condition of Italy to the government’s efforts to the contribution of the Catholic Church in Italy. Some aspects of the international situation have also been examined starting from Europe, covering also the situation in the southern Mediterranean countries. Moreover there were discussions about the protection of religious minorities, especially Christians, in some parts of the world”.
“During the meetings” said Father Federico Lombardi “ There was a definite sense of care and encouragement for having made difficult decisions and sacrifices to cope with the economic crisis. It is a huge commitment even from a moral point of view”.
The Pope, who had already met Mario Monti prior to boarding a plane to Benin last November and who had also already spoken to him on the phone to wish him well when he had just been nominated Prime Minister, wanted once again to express his support for Italy during these difficult times.