Austria at the Vatican

This morning in the Vatican Apostolic Palace the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience the President of the Republic of Austria, His Excellency, Mister Alexander Van der Bellen, who subsequently met with His Eminence, Pietro Parolin, the Cardinal Secretary of State, accompanied by His Excellency, Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, the good relations and fruitful collaboration between the Holy See and Austria were evoked. Attention then turned to matters of mutual interest, such as the defence of the inviolable dignity of the human person, the promotion of a culture of encounter, and concern for the care of creation.

Finally, the parties highlighted the role of the international community in the search for peaceful solutions to ongoing conflicts in various regions of the world, also reiterating their joint commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons.