Prime Minister of Iceland, Geir Haarde, recently met with Pope Benedict XVI. At the meeting, the Pope encouraged all members of the international community to do more to protect the earth’s environment.
Mr. Haarde met not only with the Pope himself, but also with the Holy Father’s secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for relations with states.
The Vatican press office reported: “In the course of the cordial discussions, the mutual respect and esteem marking relations between Iceland and the Catholic Church were noted, as was the contribution the Church makes to society, especially in the educational and social fields.
“Certain international questions of joint interest were also examined, highlighting the need for an ever greater commitment on the part of the international community to promote peace, fight against poverty and favour environmental protection.”
Only a small minority (two per cent) of Icelandic residents are Catholic and this was Mr. Haarde’s first visit to the Vatican. Mr. Haarde himself is a Protestant. At the meeting, the Prime Minister presented the Pope with a translation of the Bible in Icelandic. In return, the Pope gave Mr. Haarde pontifical metals and rosaries.