Pope Francis hopes for ‘stable and lasting peace’ in Mindanao

(VATICAN) President Benigno S. Aquino III is welcomed by His Holiness Pope Francis at the Sala del Trono of the Apostolic Palace for the Private Audience on Friday (December 04, 2015). (Photo by Joseph Vidal / Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA—Pope Francis has expressed desire for the continuation of peace process in Mindanao during the Pope’s meeting with President Benigno Aquino III at the Apostolic Palace last Friday.

“Special reference was made to the peace process in Mindanao, with the hope that commitment from the Parties may guarantee stable and lasting peace to the region,” read the statement released by the Holy See.

The peace process in Mindanao and the rebuilding of Yolanda-stricken areas in the South were among the topics of the dialogue between the Pope and the president, the Manila Bulletin reported.

The Pope and Pres. Aquino also talked about the Catholic Church’s influence in the lives of Filipinos.

After his meeting with the Pope, the president convened with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and talked about peace process and poverty.

Pres. Aquino said that the Vatican considers the country as an “example” of peace negotiation with Muslim extremist groups and how extremism threatens the world.

He added that the on-going peace process in Mindanao could be “useful to others to build upon as a response to the radicalization that is happening.”

The meeting with the Pope and Pres. Aquino ended with exchange of tokens. The Pope gave the country of a copy of Laudato Si’, the Pope’s second encyclical and bronze sculpture. He received a Philippine-made porcelain tea set in return.

“The visit of the President here with the Holy Father is very significant. It shows that he is very grateful, the Filipinos are very grateful for the visit of Holy Father in Manila,” Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See Mercedes Tuason was quoted as saying in a Manila Bulletin report.

“We hope for more diplomatic engagements between the Philippines and Vatican. And we thank the President especially for coming here to show the affection that we have,” she added.