During his visit to the Vatican, nine months ago the Pope mentioned to Sarkozy , "You recalled that the roots of France as well as those of Europe are Christian". "History alone proves it", said Benedict XVI. Actually, "the city of Lyons had a bishop as early as the mid-II century" and Saint Irenaeus, the author of Adversus haereses, gave there a telling testimony of the vigour of Christian thought". "The Church, which has been rooted in your country since ancient times, played a civilising role there", stated the Pope, by "transmitting the culture" of the monks, the "education of the hearts and spirits to the love of the poor" by many religious congregations, the "contribution of the Christians to the strengthening of the institutions". Then, the Pontiff spoke of the "relations between the Church and the State". "Christ had already offered a standard for finding a right solution", said the Pope: "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give to God what belongs to God" (Mk 12,17)". "The Church in France currently enjoys a regime of freedom. The mistrust of the past has slowly turned into a serene, fruitful dialogue, which is getting stronger and stronger". (continued)
