01:03Vatican: Pope Francis welcomes Maduro to the Vatican for first time
Vatican: Pope Francis welcomes Maduro to the Vatican for first time
Pope Francis welcomed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the Vatican Monday to discuss the current situation in post-Chavez Venezuela.
According to romereports.com, the leaders discussed crime, hunger, drug trafficking and the role of the the Catholic Church in the country's health care and education system. They also spoke about the Catholic-run hospitals and schools in Venezuela and regional issues, particularly the peace process in neighbouring Columbia, a Vatican statement said.
It was the president's first meeting with the new pope, who has called on political rivals of Venezuela to work towards reconciliation after the presidential elections that declared Maduro winner, narrowly beating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
Cardinal Jorge Urosa, Archbishop of Caracas, said that he expected the Pope to try and persuade Maudro to cease his verbal attacks on political rivals and critics.
Maduro also met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
01:03Vatican: Pope Francis welcomes Maduro to the Vatican for first time
Pope Francis welcomed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to the Vatican Monday to discuss the current situation in post-Chavez Venezuela.
According to romereports.com, the leaders discussed crime, hunger, drug trafficking and the role of the the Catholic Church in the country's health care and education system. They also spoke about the Catholic-run hospitals and schools in Venezuela and regional issues, particularly the peace process in neighbouring Columbia, a Vatican statement said.
It was the president's first meeting with the new pope, who has called on political rivals of Venezuela to work towards reconciliation after the presidential elections that declared Maduro winner, narrowly beating opposition candidate Henrique Capriles.
Cardinal Jorge Urosa, Archbishop of Caracas, said that he expected the Pope to try and persuade Maudro to cease his verbal attacks on political rivals and critics.
Maduro also met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.