Papal Spokesman Explains Church-State Talks In Ukraine

KIEV, Jun 25, 01 (CWNews.com) - In a briefing for reporters after the first day of Pope John Paul's visit to Ukraine, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that the main objects of discussion between the Pontiff and the country's political leaders were the juridical status of the Catholic Church and the principle of religious freedom.

Navarro-Valls said that the Holy Father had also spoken about the status of Catholic schools, seminaries, and theological institutes. The treatment of these institutions, he pointed out, would form a measure of the extent to which the country preserves and encourages religious liberty.

Pope John Paul has "cherished the dream, for quite a long time, of visiting Ukraine," the papal spokesman revealed. "Today he has realized that dream, and it gives him a profound joy."

Navarro-Valls also disclosed that several Ukrainians-- including President Leonid Kuchma-- had been surprised by the Pope's thorough command of the Ukrainian language.

Catholic World News Service - Vatican Update
25. juni 2001