Pope Francis held talks at the Vatican with European Commission President von der Leyen, with both sides particularly concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.
(Vatican News Network) Pope Francis met with European Commission President Ursula von Der Leyen at the Pontifical Building on the morning of June 10. The two held a 20-minute meeting. Von der Leyen came to Rome for a series of events, the day before she attended the “Rebuilding the Future for People and the Planet” conference organized by the Pontifical Academy of Life Sciences and Bauhaus Earth at the Vatican.
After the meeting with the Pope, President von der Leyen held talks with Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, accompanied by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary-General of the Department of Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See.
During President von der Leyen’s meeting with the Pope, Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, told reporters that “it was about war, climate and sustainable buildings in Ukraine”. During the talks at the Holy See State Council, the crisis in Ukraine and the joint efforts to end the war were also discussed. The talks also addressed the humanitarian and food consequences of the continuation of the conflict. In addition, the two sides discussed the conclusions of the conference on the future of Europe and its implications for the future shape of the EU.
As is customary, the two sides exchanged gifts. Among the gifts given by the Pope was a bronze painting depicting two clasped hands against the backdrop of the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square, with a woman in her arms and a boat of migrants in the center, which read: “We want to hold more hands together.” In addition, there are this year’s World Peace Day Proclamation, the Human Brotherhood Document, the Vatican Book Press’s photo album on the “World Gathering” prayer on March 27, 2020, and the book published by the Pope’s Palace, introducing the living room where the Pope receives guests. .
Among the gifts presented to the Pope by the President of the European Commission were a book on the Bauhaus school and a photo collection on sustainable urban planning. Von der Leyen wrote on her Twitter: “I am really happy to see Holy Father Pope Francis again in Rome. Our thoughts are with those who are suffering from the destruction of Ukraine. This war must end, let There is peace in Europe again.”
Von der Leyen met Pope Francis on May 22, 2021, when they spoke about the tragic consequences of the pandemic, immigration and the climate crisis.
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