Royalty from Belgium at the Vatican

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience His Majesty Philippe King of the Belgians, and Queen Mathilde, who subsequently met with His Eminence, the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the good bilateral relations between Belgium and the Holy See were confirmed. Attention was then paid to matters of mutual interest, such as social cohesion, the education of the young, the phenomenon of migration and the importance of intercultural and inter-religious dialogue.

Mention was then made of various problems of an international nature, with special reference to the future prospects of the European continent.