Cyprus President Demetris Christofias will meet Friday Pope Benedict XVI, in the framework of the official visit he is paying to the Holy See, March 25-28.
He will also meet with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and will be awarded the Highest Honourary Distinction of the City of Rome «Lupa» by the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno, during a ceremony organized leadership of Community of Sant Egidio, in the framework of the relations of the City of Rome and the title which the Pope bears as the Bishop of Rome.
Christofias is accompanied by his spouse Elsi, Undersecretary to the President Titos Christofides and other officials. Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou also arrived here on Thursday evening.
On Friday morning Christofias will hold an official meeting with Pope Benedict XVI. He will also have an official meeting with the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
Later on President Christofias will host lunch in the honour of Cardinal Bertone. The lunch will also be attended by high ranking officials of the Holy See and members of the Cypriot delegation.
After that the Cypriot President will have a meeting with European Parliament Vice President and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's Personal Representative Mario Mauro.
In the afternoon Christofias will be awarded the Highest Honourary Distinction of the City of Rome “Lupa” by the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno, during a ceremony organized by the leadership of Community of Sant Egidio.
After that he will give a press conference and later on he will visit a Refuge for the Poor and a School for Foreigners. These visits are organized by the Community of Sant Egidio.
In the evening Christofias will have a private meeting with Professor Andrea Riccardi at the Community of Sant Egidio.
Later on Riccardi will host a dinner in the honour of President Christofias, his spouse, members of the Cypriot delegation, high ranking officials of the Holy See and heads of diplomatic missions of the Holy See. A medal-awarding ceremony will also take place.
Christofias and his entourage will leave Rome on Saturday, while Foreign Minister Marcos Kyprianou will fly from Rome to Prague today.
