POPE RECEIVES BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

VATICAN CITY, 19 FEB 2009 ( VIS ) - The Holy See Press Office released the following communique late this morning:

"This morning His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in audience Gordon Brown, prime minister of the United Kingdom who, along with the other members of his entourage, then met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States.

"The cordial conversations dealt with the present global economic crisis and the duty to pursue initiatives benefiting the less-developed countries, and to foster co-operation on projects of human promotion, respect for the environment and sustainable development. Hope was expressed for a renewed commitment on the part of the international community in settling ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East . Finally, several bilateral themes were brought up, of interest above all for the Catholic community in the United Kingdom ".