Czech Republic at the Vatican

This morning, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the president of the Czech Republic, His Excellency Mr. Miloš Zeman, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.

During the cordial discussions, which took place on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the then-Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, which took place on 19 April 1990, mutual willingness to strengthen the good bilateral relations was confirmed, along with the hope of concluding negotiations with a view to stipulating a bilateral Agreement. The Parties expressed their wish to further develop cooperation between Church and State in sectors of mutual interest, especially in culture, education and social welfare, for the benefit of the entire nation.

Attention then turned to the current international context, with special attention paid to the situation of Christians and other minorities in the Middle East.