United States President George W Bush met Pope Benedict and told the pontiff he believed the G8 summit in Germany had been a success.The Pope and Mr Bush held talks for about 35 minutes in the pontiff's private study in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace to the backdrop of tight security in Rome for fear of violent anti-US demonstrations.
"It's good to be with you sir," Mr Bush told the Pope as he sat before the pontiff's desk.
When the Pope mentioned Mr Bush had just come from the summit of world powers in Heiligendamm, Mr Bush said: "I did, your old country, and it was successful ... a lot of different opinions, but it was good."
When the Pope asked the president if his dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin had been good, Mr Bush responded with a smile: "I'll tell you in a minute," referring to the reporters who were about to be ushered out of the room.
Mr Putin turned the tables on Mr Bush at the Group of Eight summit in Germany this week by suggesting the United States use a Russian-controlled radar as part of an anti-missile shield protecting Europe, instead of US hardware.
US plans to deploy interceptor missiles in Eastern Europe have infuriated Moscow, which says this could upset the global strategic balance and be used to attack or spy on Moscow.
President Bush and the 80-year-old pontiff see eye-to-eye on ethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia but are divided over the war in Iraq, which Pope Benedict's predecessor, John Paul, tried hard to avert.
Mr Bush told an Italian newspaper on June 1 his intention was "mainly to listen" to the Pope. He also said he would be eager to discuss changes in China and the future of post-Castro Cuba if the Pope wanted.
Discussions
Pope Benedict discussed the "worrying situation in Iraq" with President George Bush the Vatican said.
"The worrying situation in Iraq and the critical situation of the Christian community there" were among issues discussed along with "the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian question and Lebanon," the Holy See said in a statement.
Pope Benedict said "it was hoped, once more, for 'regional' and 'negotiated' solutions to the conflicts and crises afflicting the (Middle East) region," the Vatican statement said, describing the half-hour talks with Mr Bush as "cordial".
The two also discussed economic development in Africa and the situation in Darfur and had an "exchange of opinions" on Latin America, the Vatican said.
Mr Bush and Pope Benedict then discussed "ethical and religious issues" including human rights and freedom of religion, "the defence and promotion of life, marriage and the family, the education of new generations and sustainable development," it said.
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