On April 18, 2007, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI received in private audience H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. His Holiness and Mr. Ban Ki-moon discussed themes of mutual interest, such as restoring trust in multilateral relations and reinforcing dialogue between cultures.

Mention was also made of the contribution that the Catholic Church and the Holy See can give on the basis of their identity and with their own specific means to the activities of the United Nations in solving current conflicts and reaching understanding between nations.

The audience with the Pope was followed by a fruitful encounter with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B., who was accompanied by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. 

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See ©; UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon exchanges gifts with Pope Benedict XVI ©; UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Pope Benedict XVI in conversation with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ©; UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe