05/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, was received in private audience by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome, on Friday. The main subjects discussed by the two men during this first meeting were the future of Europe, dialogue between religions and cultures, conflicts in the world and the fight against poverty. According to a Commission press release, Mr Barroso explained his vision of the future of Europe to the Pope and the Europe of projects and results that he hopes to promote with his Commission. According to the same press release, “Pope Benedict XVI made it clear that he has confidence in Europe and its capacity to face its challenges”. “I am glad for his encouragement, and for his support for European integration”, Mr Barroso commented. Mr Barroso also spoke with the Pope on religious freedom which, he stressed, “is not negotiable and is the fundamental right of persons and communities, a fundamental element of Community law”. “Mutual respect and understanding are our watchwords, as are democracy, dialogue and debate”, the Commission president said.