The Prime Minister Meets with His Holiness Pope John Paul II, and the Secretary of State for the Vatican City.

19 June, 2000 - Belmopan
Prime Minister Said Musa met today with His Holiness Pope John Paul II
at the Vatican City, Rome, where he also held a private audience with
H.E. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State for the Vatican City.

The Holy Father expressed to the Prime Minister how fondly he remembered his visit to Belize in the early 1980s. He said a prayer for Belize
with the Prime Minister and at the end of their meeting the Pope said
"God bless Belize and her people".

In his meeting with the Secretary of State, Mr. Musa briefed H.E.
Cardinal Sodano on the current status of relations between Belize and
Guatemala. Cardinal Sodano was concerned at the increasing tensions
at the border and was hopeful that this matter could be resolved very
soon.

The Prime Minister also briefed him on the ongoing process that is now
under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS) as part
of the efforts at finding a solution. The Secretary of State expressed
support for these efforts and is hopeful that it would lead to a final
settlement.

The visit to the Vatican City concluded with a visit to the Sistine
Chapel.