The Vatican has announced plans for a formal visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in October. President Napolitano, who was elected to his current office in May 2006, made a formal visit to the Vatican in November of that year.
Although the Italian president and the Roman Pontiff have met informally on several occasions since that time, and frequently exchanged messages, the Pope has not yet returned the formal visit, which follows a strict protocol.
The Holy Father will call upon Napolitano at the Quirinal Palace in Rome on October 4, the Vatican announced-- noting that the day is the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Rome.
The official visit in November 2006 took place at a time of significant tension between the Vatican and the leftist government that had recently assumed power in Italy.
(Napolitano is a former Communist Party member, and his visit marked the first time that a Communist leader, past or present, had met officially with the Pontiff.)
During that visit, the Pope emphasized the importance of religious freedom, telling Napolitano: "Adequate respect for the right to religious freedom imples the commitment of civil authorities in helping to create conditions favorable to the fostering of religious life." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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