Sad at not meeting Pope Francis: Dalai Lama

Dharamsala, Dec 13: Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has said that he was sad at not meeting Pope Francis. "I feel a little sad because I have paid my respects to several other Popes and I have been eager to meet him," the Nobel Peace laureate told RAI television in Rome Friday. "But for now it's inconvenient, which is understandable. I don't want to make things more inconvenient. We share an interest in moral values, religious harmony, peace and relief for the poor. I admire him (Pope Francis) - that's all," he said in the interview. On being asked if in giving in to Chinese pressure to deny him a visa, the South African government had put business before values, the Dalai Lama said: "Under a materialistic outlook a priority is placed on money." "However, money is no guarantor of inner peace. When Archbishop Tutu invited me to his 80th birthday party, I wanted to go. I was also eager to see Nelson Mandela again, but I was unable to obtain a visa." Clarifying his stand on Tibet, he said: "The whole world knows I'm not seeking independence for Tibet. We are asking the Chinese government to implement certain rights already mentioned in the constitution. We have a right to preserve our rich Buddhist culture and language, while protecting our environment."