13 December 2007
Dalai Lama in Italy
(AP) No meeting took place between the Dalai Lama and Pope Benedict XVI during the former's Italy trip. Italian media reports said that this facilitated the ordination of a new bishop in Guangdong, southern China, with the Vatican's approval. The Dalai Lama was in Rome for an annual summit of Nobel peace laureates and had come from northern Italy where he had lectured at a seminary. He also met Italian parliamentarians at the Palazzo Montecitorio during his 11-day visit. Beijing has complained to the Italian foreign ministry over the visit, even though the Dalai Lama did not meet with any members of the Italian government.