The Vatican (Monday 02-09-2015, Gaudium Press) Pope Francis on Thursday received the President of the Republic of Kiribati, Mr. Anote Tong, who subsequently met with the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, secretary for Relations with States.
| Kiribati flag |
Kiribati is an island nation in the central Pacific Ocean with a population of about 100,000 people. The nation comprises 33 atolls and reef islands and one raised coral island, Banaba.They have a total land area of 800 square kilometres (310 sq mi) and are dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, (1,351,000 square miles).
The Holy See Press Office issued a statement calling the talks between Pope Francis and President Tong “cordial”, and said emphasis was placed on the importance of the protection of the environment and on matters of climate change, which has worrying negative effects on the country, as in other Pacific States. In this regard, the hope was expressed that, on the occasion of the COP-21 to be held in Paris next December, the international Community may adopt concerted and effective measures to face this challenge.(JSG)
With information from Vatican Radio
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