Evo Morales asked the Pope to abolish celibacy and allow women to assume the priesthood

VISIT THE VATICAN • Evo Morales proposed on Monday to Pope Benedict XVI the abolition of priestly celibacy, allow women assume their right to exercise the priesthood and the need to defend the rights of the mother earth.

By EUGEN ROXAS

Evo Morales and Pope Benedict XVI Photo © ABI®. All rights reserved.

ROME, The Vatican. —Morales met with the pontiff in the Apostolic Palace for about 25 minutes.

In a letter delivered to the Pope, the President noted that:

"We must begin a process of sincerity within the Catholic Church to strengthen its structure and to respond to the real social interests of the people."

Evo Morales invited Pope Benedict XVI to visit Bolivia in the future. Thanking the pope for the hearing, Morales said he hoped not the last.

He recalled that in 2007 sought a meeting by lobbying the Bolivian Episcopal Conference, but it was impossible.

"Now I had this opportunity to talk with the Pope, as always to hear his thoughts and prayers for the good of humanity," he said.

Source: ABI