” “The law that abolishes the death penalty, the plan to reform the Constitution of the Philippines, dialogue between the Catholic majority and the Muslim minority in the Asian country: these subjects were the focus of the meeting which took place in the Vatican this morning between Benedict XVI and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, president of the Republic of the Philippines. It is reported in a note by the director of the Vatican pressroom, Joaquín Navarro-Valls. "During the friendly conversation reads the note- the president illustrated to the Holy Father the new law that abolishes the death penalty, which was signed last Saturday, the day of Saint John the Baptist. Mrs Macapagal-Arroyo also presented to the Pope the plan for the reform of the Constitution for a more harmonious development of the country, with special attention to the poorest classes". During the conversation, reads on the note, "reference was made to the favourable prospects of dialogue with the Muslim population of the country and the hope of a national reconciliation. Finally, the president commented that the Christian values with which the majority of Filipinos identify themselves are also voiced and supported by the state legislation".” “
