Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday morning received the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Joachim Gauck. The discussions highlighted the cordial nature of bilateral relations; attention was given to the Christian view of the person, as well as the challenges currently posed by globalisation and the secularisation of society. This was followed by a fruitful exchange of opinions on the international situation and the current economic crisis, especially in relation to its consequences in Europe, and the contribution that the Catholic Church may offer.
