The Pope met privately with Asha-Rose Migiro today at the conclusion of the general audience. The two leaders spoke in a room adjacent to Paul VI Hall where the audience was held; the Holy See has not reported any details of the visit.
Migiro is in Rome for the conference, an initiative sponsored by the Italian presidency of the Group of Eight. It will conclude Thursday.
At the conclusion, a document will be signed at the offices of the Italian foreign ministry, detailing concrete steps to prevent violence against women.
Testimonies during the meeting are coming from women from Iran, Afghanistan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and China.
The document will be presented at the next meeting of foreign ministers of G-8 nations in New York on Sept. 25.
According to the Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, Italy will gather representatives at U.N. Headquarters during the next general assembly to finalize an initiative aimed at stopping the genital mutilation of women.
