Federal President Joachim Gauck travelled to the Vatican and Croatia from 5 to 8 December 2012. In the Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI received the Federal President in audience on 6 December. On 7 December, Gauck was welcomed in Zagreb with military honours by Croatian President Ivo Josipović. The Federal President also took part in a debate at the University of Zagreb.
Visit to the Vatican
Federal President Joachim Gauck travelled to Rome on 5 December 2012. In the Vatican City, he toured St Peter’s Basilica on 6 December, also visiting the tombs of Pope John Paul II and St Peter. Pope Benedict XVI then received the Federal President in his private library.
At lunchtime, the Federal President then met with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertrone for talks and a meal. In the afternoon, the Federal President visited the priests college Campo Santo Teutonico looking at archaeological artefacts, the cemetery and the church. Campo Santo Teutonico was founded in ca. 787 by Charlemagne as a Schola Francorum with a hospital, church and cemetery.
The last German Head of State to visit the Vatican was Horst Köhler in December 2009 while Pope Benedict XVI spent four days in Germany on an official visit in September 2011.
Trip to Croatia
On the evening of 6 December, the Federal President travelled on to Croatia. where he was welcomed with military honours by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, on 7 December. After talks between the two Presidents, they held a press conference. The Federal President also met with the President of the Croatian Parliament and the Prime Minister. These talks focused on Croatia’s planned accession to the EU and bilateral relations.