Romanian President, Pope Meet Near Rome

Basescu, who is on a three-day visit to Italy, had private talks with the pontiff at the latter’s Castel Gandolfo summer retreat.

At the end of the meeting, the two officials exchanged gifts. Pope Benedict XVI offered Basescu a pontifical medal and to his wife, Maria, a rosary.

The Romanian head of state offered the pontiff a glass icon, a photo album of Romanian churches and a series of dedicated stamps.

On Friday, Basescu told in an interview for Italian daily Avvenire that Romania appreciates Vatican’s stance regarding the free movement of citizens.

The Romanian head of state also thanked Pope Benedict XVI for promoting the Greek-Catholic Church in Romania to the rank of Major Archbishopry.

Basescu is also to meet Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and His Highness Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

On Sunday, Basescu will visit the new building of the Romanian Orthodox Bishopry in Italy.

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