26 April 2007

President Bush to meet with Pope Benedict XVI, attend Group of Eight (G-8) Summit in Germany, April 26, 2007

The White House announced that on Saturday, June 9, President Bush will visit the Vatican for his first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.

U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Francis Rooney said “this will be an important opportunity for the President to meet the Holy Father and discuss with him the deep and shared commitment of the United States and the Holy See to promoting human dignity around the world.”

The President and Mrs. Bush will stop in Vatican City on their return from Heiligendamm, Germany, where they will attend the G-8 Summit from June 6-8, 2007. The leaders of Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the United Kingdom will participate in the Summit along with the German host, Chancellor Merkel. The European Union will also participate. The leaders will discuss continued cooperation on a broad range of international economic, security, and political issues.

Prior to the Summit, the President will visit Prague, Czech Republic on June 5 for meetings with President Klaus and Prime Minister Topolanek. While in Prague, the President will speak at an international conference, “Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies.”

Following the G-8, the President will travel to Jurata, Poland on June 8 for a meeting with President Lech Kaczynski. On June 9, in addition to meetings in Vatican City, he will meet with Italian President Napolitano and Prime Minister Prodi. President Bush will then proceed to Tirana, Albania on June 10 to meet with President Moisiu and Prime Minister Berisha, before concluding his trip in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he will meet on June 11 with President Parvanov and Prime Minister Stanishev.