Pope Benedict XVI met on June 10 with Spain's Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, for "cordial" discussions that touched on issues that have caused serious tensions between the Spanish government and the Catholic Church, including the sanctity of life, marriage, and religious freedom. The Zapatero government has frequently been at odds with Church leaders on questions of social policy, including abortion, divorce, same-sex unions, and the teaching of religion in schools.
However, a statement released by the Vatican after the Pope's meeting with the Spanish prime minister downplayed the tensions, and instead called attention to the Spanish government's cooperation with plans for the Pope's visits to Spain: to Santiago and Barcelona this year, and World Youth Day observances in Madrid next year.
The conversation also covered more general topics, the Vatican said, including the world economic situation and the prospects for peace in the Middle East.
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