EPP-ED Group:

Politics and Religion

Catholic Churches

Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group,
in the Vatican (25-26 November 2002)

Hans-Gert Poettering, Chairman of the EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament, headed the discussion in the Vatican on the ecumenical role of Christianity and the dialogue with the Islam on 25 and 26 November.

On Tuesday morning, together with representatives of the Brazilian bishop conference he participated in a ceremony with Pope John Paul II in his private chapel. Subsequently, he had a private audience with Pope Johannes Paul II. He presented him the compliments of the EPP-ED Group and expressed his hope that the Pope will accept the invitation of the European Parliament to visit Strasbourg. Poettering explained him the debate on the enlargement of the European Union led in the last plenary session within which Poettering had emphasised the outstanding role of the Pope for the agreement of the European continent in peace and liberty.

Poettering also held meetings with Cardinal Walter Kasper (responsible for the Oecumene), Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald (responsible for the dialogue with the world religions) as well as Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, the 'minister of foreign affairs' of the Vatican.