Pope Francis met President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, this morning June 26, 2018.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office this morning noting their discussions were cordial, it stressed that the parties evoked the good existing relations between the Holy See and France, further strengthened by the bilateral Accord signed in Cotonou on Oct. 21, 2016.
“The contribution of religions to the promotion of the common good of the country, with particular reference to the commitment of the Church,” it said, was highlighted.
Attention, it noted, then turned to global issues of shared interest, such as the protection of the environment, migration, and multilateral commitment to conflict prevention and resolution, especially in relation to disarmament.
“The conversation also permitted an exchange of views on various situations of conflict, particularly in the Middle East and in Africa. Finally, there was a joint reflection on the prospects of the European project,” it said.
According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office this morning noting their discussions were cordial, it stressed that the parties evoked the good existing relations between the Holy See and France, further strengthened by the bilateral Accord signed in Cotonou on Oct. 21, 2016.
“The contribution of religions to the promotion of the common good of the country, with particular reference to the commitment of the Church,” it said, was highlighted.
Attention, it noted, then turned to global issues of shared interest, such as the protection of the environment, migration, and multilateral commitment to conflict prevention and resolution, especially in relation to disarmament.
“The conversation also permitted an exchange of views on various situations of conflict, particularly in the Middle East and in Africa. Finally, there was a joint reflection on the prospects of the European project,” it said.
After meeting with the Pope, the French president met with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Gallagher.
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One can watch the event here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2018/6/26/udienza-macron.html
Here is a translation of the telegram that the Holy Father had sent to Macron when he had just been elected president.
* * *
His Excellency Mister Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
Paris
On the occasion of your investiture as President of the French Republic, I express to you my very cordial wishes for the exercise of your high functions at the service of all your compatriots. I pray God to sustain you so that your country, in fidelity to the rich diversity of its moral traditions and of its spiritual heritage, marked also by the Christian tradition, may bear always the concern for the building of a more just and fraternal society. In respect of differences and care to persons in situations of precariousness and exclusion, may it contribute to cooperation and solidarity among the nations. May France continue to foster, in the heart of Europe and in the world, the quest for peace and the common good, respect for life as well as the defense of the dignity of each person and of all peoples. I invoke from the depth of my heart, upon your person and upon all the inhabitants of France, the Lord’s blessing.
Francis
[Original text: French] [Translation by Zenit, Virginia M. Forrester]
***
One can watch the event here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2018/6/26/udienza-macron.html
Here is a translation of the telegram that the Holy Father had sent to Macron when he had just been elected president.
* * *
His Excellency Mister Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
Paris
On the occasion of your investiture as President of the French Republic, I express to you my very cordial wishes for the exercise of your high functions at the service of all your compatriots. I pray God to sustain you so that your country, in fidelity to the rich diversity of its moral traditions and of its spiritual heritage, marked also by the Christian tradition, may bear always the concern for the building of a more just and fraternal society. In respect of differences and care to persons in situations of precariousness and exclusion, may it contribute to cooperation and solidarity among the nations. May France continue to foster, in the heart of Europe and in the world, the quest for peace and the common good, respect for life as well as the defense of the dignity of each person and of all peoples. I invoke from the depth of my heart, upon your person and upon all the inhabitants of France, the Lord’s blessing.
Francis
[Original text: French] [Translation by Zenit, Virginia M. Forrester]
