Egypt's Mubarak speaks with Pope on Iraq, Iran

You know, it is interesting to read offical statements from places. There is a bunch of subtext. Take this article for example:


Mar. 13 (CWNews.com) - The situation in the Middle East, particularly Iraq and Iran, was the main subject discussed when Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Monday evening, March 13.

In a statement released to the media after the meeting, Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said that the Pope spoke with Mubarak about relations between the different religious groups in Egypt, and that country's diplomatic ties with the Holy See, as well as Iran and Iraq.

That the Vatican statement did not refer directly to Iran's drive toward a nuclear capability, the Pope had previously indicated his concern about that development. In a telegram sent last November to Mohammed el Baradei, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Holy Father had said that the development of nuclear arms continues to endanger world peace. Mubarak arrived at the Vatican at 6 in the evening, under heavy security. Police had temporarily closed off the Via della Conciliazione, which leads into the Vatican, and a police helicopter hovered above the Vatican as the Egyptian delegation arrived. The level of security was comparable to that observed at the Vatican during recent visits by leaders from Israel, Iraq, and the Palestinian Authority.

Mubarak was accompanied on his visit to the Vatican by the Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Abdoul Theit, the country's ambassador to the Holy See, Nevin Halim Abdallah, and several other officials. In a distinct break from the usual practice for visiting political leaders, Mubarak left the Vatican after his visit with the Pope, without holding a conversation with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano

Here are some interesting parts:

the Pope spoke with Mubarak about relations between the different religious groups in Egypt

That must have been an interesting conversation. Maybe it led to this:

In a distinct break from the usual practice for visiting political leaders, Mubarak left the Vatican after his visit with the Pope, without holding a conversation with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Angelo Sodano

The article, from Catholic World News, makes a point of mentioning that. No other article I read brings up that this happened. My view is that the conversation might not have went as well as most media outlets say.

Another report from right after the meeting:

Benedict XVI Meets Egyptian Leader

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 13, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held a private, 20-minute meeting in the Vatican.

No details of today's meeting were immediately published, though it was expected to focus on peace in the Middle East.

The meeting, which took place in the Pope's private library, was described as cordial by Vatican sources.

After the audience, there was an exchange of gifts.

Mubarak gave the Holy Father a silver case with Benedict XVI's name engraved in Arabic, and the Pope gave the Egyptian president and his entourage rosaries and medals of his pontificate.

I blinked at the above line that I have bolded. Rosaries. I'm sure they loved that.

Another article says (link):

Mubarak's spokesman did not immediately answer his cell phone. Egypt's semiofficial Middle East News Agency said Benedict and Mubarak discussed "recent regional developments" as well as respect for religious differences.


I don't know what this all means. And not much can be done in half an hour, but it is one of those times where you think:

He gave him a rosary and talked about respect for religious differences and then Mubarak left without talking to Sodano. Kinda want to be a fly on the wall. Ah, the language of International discourse...as clear as mud. And, in the end, that is our problem.