Benedict XVI Greets Hungarian President

VATICAN CITY, JULY 1, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI received Hungarian President Ferenc Madl in audience, together with his wife and entourage.

After today's private meeting, of which the Vatican press office gave no details, Madl gave the Holy Father an illustrated Bible dated from the 16th century, and a case of red wine. On the bottles was written "Codex Vinorum" (Wine Code). The Pope smiled in amusement when he saw the bottles.

Madl, a Catholic, also visited Pope John Paul II's tomb in the Vatican grottoes.

About 63% of Hungary's more than 10 million inhabitants are Catholic. The country became a member of the European Union in May 2004.