Pope Francis holds a private audience with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of Portugal, and discusses various topics related to the pandemic and the European Union.
By Vatican News staff writer
The Holy See Press Office announced Friday that Pope Francis has met with the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in a private audience in the Vatican.
“During the visit, the President’s first foreign trip since his re-election, satisfaction was expressed at the good relations between the Holy See and Portugal, as well as the contribution made by the Church to the life of the country, with special reference to the management of the current health crisis, the defence of life, and peaceful social co-existence.”
According to the Press Office, the two leaders also spoke about Portugal’s presidency of the European Union.
Their discussions ranged from multilateralism, commitment to peace, and the need to overcome the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Afterwards, President Rebelo de Sousa also met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States.
