Vatican City, June 03: Pope John Paul II and US Secretary of State Colin Powell met on Monday in the first high-level US-Vatican talks since the pontiff voiced his opposition to the Iraq war. The two men met alone in the Pope's study for 30 minutes, appearing relaxed in a brief session for photographers afterward. As expected, reconstruction efforts in Iraq and US-led efforts to reach a settlement between Israelis and Palestinians dominated Powell's meeting with the Pope and separate talks with top Vatican officials.
``How is the president?'' The Pope asked Powell at the end of their 30 minute-meeting -- twice as long as scheduled. ``Give him my best regards.''
A Vatican statement gave no hint of John Paul's position on the US-led war, which he condemned as lacking legal or moral justification.

It said they spoke of the material and political reconstruction of Iraq, saying it must count on the cooperation of the international community. The statement stressed that fundamental rights in Iraq, particularly religious freedom, must be protected.
Before the meeting, both sides had stressed the US-Vatican relationship was solid despite differences over the war in Iraq.
Bureau Report