KATHMANDU:   Royal Nepalese Ambassador to the Holy See Madan Kumar Bhattarai presented his Letters of Credence to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at a special ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace in Rome on Thursday.

A press statement issued by the Royal Nepalese Embassy, Berlin, Germany said, Ambassador Bhattarai conveyed the message of warm greetings, felicitations and best wishes from His Majesty the King to His Holiness the Pope for his good health and happiness on the occasion.

Appreciating the contributions of the Holy Father for the promotion of peace, non-violence, fraternity, and ethical and moral values, and for establishing global peace at a time when the world is facing the problem of terrorism, the Ambassador wished him all success in his role for the cause of greater harmony and co-existence among peoples of different faiths, religions and political orientations.

Ambassador Bhattarai apprised the Pope of the political and security situation in Nepal and steps being taken to restore peace and order and for further strengthening Constitutional Monarchy and multiparty democracy, the statement adds.

After the presentation of the Letters of Credence, Ambassador Bhattarai also called on His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sadano, Secretary of State. Matters relating to promotion of bilateral relations between Nepal and the Holy See were discussed during the meeting.

On November 28, Ambassador Bhattarai had called on His Eminence Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, Secretary for Relations with States and exchanged ideas concerning ways and means of further strengthening relations between Nepal and the Vatican, the statement added.

Bhattarai is the residential Royal Nepalese Ambassador to Germany