By Stone Martindale Sep 20, 2007, 1:07 GMT
Pope Benedict XVI refused to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in August, saying he was on holiday, an Italian newspaper reported Wednesday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (R) during Russian-US summit at Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, 07 September 2007. Leaders of 21 countries arrive in Sydney to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. EPA/DMITRY ASTAKHOV RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN POOL
Rice "made it known to the Vatican that she absolutely had to meet the pope" to boost her diplomatic "credit" ahead of a trip to the Middle East, the Corriere della Sera daily reported without citing any sources.
"'The pope is on holiday' was the official response," the paper said regarding the August visit request.
The paper said the reply "illustrated the divergence of view" between the Vatican and the White House about the "initiatives of the Bush administration in the Middle East."
The newspaper wnet on to say that the pope had rejected all meetings with political representatives during August.
The Vatican press office refused to confirm the report to AFP.com.
US Ambassador to the Vatican Francis Rooney said: "Since the beginning of formal diplomatic relations in 1984, the US and the Holy See have enjoyed a high level of cooperation on a wide array of issues," in a statement.
"Our relationship remains strong today. Our working relationship is dynamic and productive at all levels."
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