PRESIDENT MEETS WITH POPE BENEDICT

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia /MONTSAME/ Paying an official visit to Italy, the President of Mongolia Ts.Elbegdorj visited Vatican City and met with Pope Benedict XVI on Monday. The President appreciated the cause of the Pope Benedict for peace and humanity, and underlined the inter-religious dialogue is the important tool for collaboration dedicated to common interests of the humankind. Pope Benedict expressed thanks to the President Ts.Elbegdorj for visiting Vatican City and congratulated him on initiatives for human rights protection. The State Head and Pope Benedict shared views on combating against global climate change, preserving environment, reducing poverty and food shortage and tackling any conflicts by peaceful ways. Ts.Elbegdorj expressed a willingness to study together documents and historical source related to Mongolian history and cultural heritage that are stored in libraries of Vatican and in archives. In addition, Mongolia and Vatican City agreed to cooperate in preparing researchers on Latin language. Present at the meeting was D.Choijamts, the Hamba Lama of the Buddhist Center of Mongolia and the Gandantegchilen Monastery. The same day, the President met with Tarcisio Bertone, the Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City. Ts.Elbegdorj expressed thanks to Vatican City for rendering humanitarian assistance to Mongolia for overcoming difficulties of natural disasters and supporting the vulnerable group. During this meeting, the President invited Pope Benedict to visit Mongolia.

B.Khuder