VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI addresses the President of the Italian Republic: “the Quirinal and the Vatican are not two hills that ignore one another or face one another acrimoniously; rather that they are places symbolizing mutual respect for the sovereignty of the State and of the Church”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – “Today, we can observe with satisfaction that in the city of Rome, the Italian State and the Holy See coexist and collaborate in peace. This visit also serves to confirm the fact that the Quirinal and the Vatican are not two hills that ignore one another or face one another acrimoniously; rather that they are places symbolising mutual respect for the sovereignty of the State and of the Church, ready to co-operate to promote and serve the integral good of human beings and the peaceful continuance of social coexistence. This - I would like to reiterate - is a positive state of affairs that may be observed almost daily at various levels, one to which other States may also look and draw useful lessons.” This is part of what the Holy Father Benedict XVI said in his official visit to the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, in the Quirinal Palace on October 4, feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Patron of Italy.
“This visit, the visit of the Roman Pontiff to the Quirinal,” Benedict XVI said in response to the address given by President Napolitano, “is not only an act to be inserted in the context of many other relations between the Holy See and Italy, but rather, it assumes what we could call a much more profound and symbolic value. Here, in fact, many of my Predecessors lived and governed the universal Church for over two centuries, undergoing trials and persecutions.”
Benedict XVI also recalled that his visit was taking place on the day on which Italy celebrates its “special protector,” Saint Francis of Assisi: “In this saint, who attracts believers and non-believers alike, we may see an image of the perennial mission of the Church, also in her relationship with civil society. The Church in this modern age of profound and sometimes difficult changes, continues to present everyone with the Gospel's message of salvation and undertakes to contribute to building a society founded on truth and freedom, on respect for life and human dignity, on justice and social solidarity.”
After having recalled what he has affirmed in other circumstances, namely that “the Church does not aim to acquire power nor does she seek privileges or positions of economic and social advantage” and that “her only aim is to serve mankind, drawing inspiration, as the supreme norm, from the words and example of Jesus Christ,” the Pope highlighted the fact that “In order to carry out this her mission, the Church must, everywhere and always, be able to enjoy the right of religious freedom in its broadest sense.” The Church edifies society en various manners, and in our day she especially focuses on the future generations: the formation of the youth is a “task that the Church must also take part in, among with the family and the school. She is, in fact, clearly aware of the important role that education plays in learning authentic freedom, which is necessary for a positive service for the common good. Only a serious educational commitment will allow for the construction of a society of solidarity, truly moved by a sense of legality.”
Finally, the Holy Father expressed his hope that “Italian Christian communities ... may educate people, and especially the young, to be responsible citizens committed to civil life” and that “the contribution of the Catholic community will be welcomed by everyone with the same ready spirit as that in which it is offered. There is no reason to fear prevarication by the Church and her members detrimental to freedom, indeed they hope that their own freedom not to betray their consciences illuminated by the Gospel will also be recognized.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 7/10/2008)