Cameron says religious faith is not a problem to solve but an integral part of national life

By Tim Montgomerie

Earlier today David Cameron met the Pope. Tomorrow the Prime Minister will give a speech on the subject of religion and public policy and the following extracts have been released in advance:

"For many, faith is a spur to action. It shapes their beliefs and behaviour; and it gives them a sense of purpose. Crucially, it is their faith that inspires them to help others. And we should celebrate that. Faith is part of the fabric of our country. It always has been and it always will be. As you, your Holiness, have said... faith is not a problem for legislators to solve… but rather a vital part of our national conversation. And we are proud of that.

"But people do not have to share a religious faith or agree with religion on everything… to see the benefit of asking the searching questions that you, your Holiness, have posed to us… about our society and how we treat ourselves and each other. You have really challenged the whole country to sit up and think, and that can only be a good thing. Because I believe we can all share in your message of working for the common good… and that we all have a social obligation each other, to our families and our communities."

> The Joint Communiqué between HM Government and the Papal delegation