Title:The Pope promised President V. Adamkus that he would help save a Lithuanian Church in New York.

(LRT 042807)

President Valdas Adamkus met with Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican on Saturday (April 28th). That was the first time that the two met. The Presidnet's closed door meeting with the Pope lasted about half an hour. In addition to meeting with the Holy Father, V. Adamkus met with Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone.
The Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus told Lithuanian National Television LRT, that the Vatican stated that they have never had such good relations with the Republic of Lithuania as currently exists, and the Lithuanian President was pleased that the Holy Father was concerned about the fate of Lithuanian Parishes outside of Lithuania. Valdas Adamkus deeply appreciated the Pope's promise to help save the Lithuanian National Church, Our Lady of Vilnius in New York, which the local Archbishop (Edward Cardinal Egan) has been intent on closing.