France/Vatican

Pope backs Sarkozy's "positive secularism" on Paris visit

Article published on the 2008-09-12 Latest update 2008-09-12 14:43 TU

Pope Benedict (L) meets Sarkozy and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
(Photo: Reuters)

On his first visit to France since becoming the head of the Catholic church, Pope Benedict XVI called for "new reflection" on the meaning of secularism, echoing French President Nicolas Sarkozy's call last year for a type of secularism, which would allow space for religion in public life. At Friday's Elysée Palace reception Sarkozy called for acceptance of "our Christian roots".

Bells tolled across Paris to greet the Pope's arrival at Orly airport, from where he was driven to the Elysée for a reception with dozens of political and religious leaders.

While declaring that "politics in not religion and religion is not politics" he told journalists on his plane that "Christian values are fundamental for the construction of the state and society".

At the Elysée he declared that it was "fundamental" to "insist on the distinction between the political realm and that of religion" but also to recognise the role of religion in building an "ethical" society.

Sarkozy called for "positive secularism" on a visit to the Vatican last year and for "a God who doesn't enslave man but liberates him" on a visit to Saudi Arabia in January.

At the Elysée the President declared that it would be "madness" to "deprive ourselves" of religion.

"We don't put anyone above anyone else, but we accept our Christian roots," he said.

Sarkozy is a lapsed Catholic who is in his third marriage.

Surveys show 51 per cent of French people consider themselves Catholic, down from 80 per cent in the early 1990s. France has Europe's largest Muslim and Jewish populations.

Secular groups will protest at the state's involvement in the visit on Saturday, claiming that the Pope's visit to the US in April cost 12.5 million euros. The government says that he is being welcomed as head of state of the Vatican.